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Use this free Works Cited generator to build MLA reference-list entries for websites, books, and journal articles. Format authors automatically, preview a matching parenthetical citation, and copy ready-to-use lines โ then verify against the MLA Handbook.
Pair with the In-Text Citation Generator, Bibliography Generator, and Annotated Bibliography Generator for related citing workflows.
Last updated: May 19, 2026 ยท Published: 2026-04-09 ยท Updated: 2026-05-19
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Works Cited output (MLA)
Smith, John, and Emma Johnson. "Example source title." Example Website, Example Press, 9 Apr. 2026, https://example.com/source. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Matching MLA in-text citation
(Smith 45)
Tip: MLA punctuation and capitalization can vary by edition and instructor requirements. Always do a final manual check.
In MLA style, the Works Cited page lists every source you referenced in your essay. Each entry gives readers enough information to find the original book, article, or webpage. Entries are usually alphabetized by the first element โ often the author's last name.
MLA is the standard for many high school English courses and college humanities papers. This generator drafts one Works Cited line at a time plus a sample in-text citation so your paper stays consistent from body paragraphs to the final reference list.
Create MLA references in three quick steps.
Select website, book, or journal article based on the source you are citing.
Fill author, title, publication, date, URL, and page locator fields to format the entry.
Copy the Works Cited entry and in-text example, then confirm final MLA requirements.
Select the source category before entering publication metadata.
Page title, site name, publisher, publication date, URL, and optional access date.
Author, title, publisher, and year โ core fields for monographs and textbooks.
Article title, journal name, volume, issue, year, and page range in MLA order.
Built around how students search for MLA Works Cited help.
Built specifically around Works Cited phrasing and MLA formatting expectations.
Generate entries for the three source types used most in MLA essays.
Formats one, two, or multiple authors using MLA name order and et al. rules.
Shows a matching MLA parenthetical citation from the same author and page inputs.
Entry text updates instantly as fields are edited.
Copy the final Works Cited line quickly into your paper or reference manager.
Where Works Cited formatting matters most.
Build clean Works Cited entries for literature and language arts assignments.
Format source lines for English, history, cultural studies, and writing courses.
Fix reference formatting before submission deadlines.
Demonstrate Works Cited structure with editable examples.
Help students learn MLA punctuation and element ordering conventions.
Format books, journals, and web sources consistently in one workflow.
End-of-paper lists use different names depending on citation style.
Used in MLA essays โ lists only sources cited in your paper. This tool is built for that format.
APA's author-date reference list. Use the Reference List Generator for APA-style lists.
Chicago and Harvard often use bibliography or reference list titles. The Bibliography Generator supports several styles.
Simplified patterns this generator approximates โ add italics where MLA requires them in your final document.
Smith, John. "Page Title." Site Name, Publisher, 9 Apr. 2026, URL. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Smith, John. Book Title. Example Press, 2026.
Smith, John. "Article Title." Journal Name, vol. 12, no. 3, 2026, pp. 145-152.
Accurate Works Cited pages support academic integrity and reader trust.
Works Cited entries show which ideas and evidence come from outside sources versus your own analysis.
Readers and instructors can locate your sources to check quotes, data, and paraphrases.
MLA formatting is often required in English and humanities courses โ consistent Works Cited pages protect your grade.
Improve MLA accuracy before submission.
Formatting details can change between MLA Handbook editions โ verify with your instructor.
Apply MLA title-case rules for source and container titles where required.
Some courses require full URLs and accessed dates for all web sources.
Every parenthetical citation should correspond exactly to one Works Cited entry.
Commas, periods, and quotation marks are crucial to MLA correctness.
Automated formatting saves time, but manual review improves grading accuracy.
Answers about MLA Works Cited, in-text citations, source types, and verification.
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