Citation Generator
Generate properly formatted APA and MLA citations for books, websites, and journal articles. Copy citations directly to your clipboard.
Citation Generator
Generate APA and MLA citations for books, websites, and journal articles
How to Use
- 1Select citation style — Choose between APA (7th Edition) or MLA (9th Edition) format.
- 2Choose source type — Select whether you are citing a book, website, or journal article.
- 3Enter source details — Fill in the author(s), title, and other required information for your source.
- 4Generate citation — Click "Generate Citation" to create your formatted citation.
- 5Copy and use — Copy the citation to your clipboard and paste it into your paper or bibliography.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between APA and MLA?
APA (American Psychological Association) is commonly used in social sciences, education, and psychology. MLA (Modern Language Association) is typically used in humanities, literature, and arts. They differ in formatting, author presentation, and date placement.
How do I cite a source with multiple authors?
Click "Add Author" to add more authors. In APA, 3+ authors use "et al." after the first author. In MLA, 3+ authors also use "et al." The generator handles this automatically.
What if I don't know the author?
Leave the author fields empty. The citation will start with the title (for APA) or the organization/website name (for websites). This is acceptable for sources without identified authors.
How do I cite a website with no date?
Leave the publish date field empty. The generator will use "n.d." (no date) in APA format, which is the standard way to indicate an undated source.
Should I include the DOI for journal articles?
Yes, if available. DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) provide a permanent link to the article and are preferred in both APA and MLA formats. Enter just the DOI number (e.g., 10.1000/xyz123).