Works Cited Page Generator — Free MLA 9 Works Cited Maker

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Need to build an MLA works cited page? Our free generator creates accurate MLA 9th edition entries for every source you cite. Add sources and copy a complete, formatted works cited list.

The MLA works cited page is the page (or pages) at the end of your paper that lists every source you cited in the text. It is alphabetized by the author's last name, double-spaced, and uses a hanging indent. Every in-text citation must have a matching entry here.

How to format a works cited page

An MLA works cited page starts on a new page at the end of your paper, titled "Works Cited" (centered, plain text, no bold or italics). The list is alphabetized by the first author's last name, double-spaced, and each entry uses a hanging indent.

  • Title the page "Works Cited" — not "Bibliography" or "References".
  • Alphabetize by the first author's last name; if there is no author, alphabetize by the first significant word of the title.
  • Double-space the entire list.
  • Use a hanging indent: first line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inch.

Works cited entry format

A works cited entry follows the MLA core elements in this order: author, title of source, title of container, other contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, location.

  • Author Last, First. "Title of Source." Title of Container, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location.

Common works cited mistakes

Three mistakes show up most: forgetting the hanging indent, using the wrong case style (MLA is title case, not sentence case), and putting the date in the wrong position. The generator below formats every entry correctly.

Entries that do not start with an author

A works cited page is alphabetized by whatever comes first in the entry, and that is not always a surname. MLA has a defined first element for each case, so every entry still has a place in the list.

  • No author — begin with the title and alphabetize by its first significant word, ignoring A, An, and The
  • Organisation as author — use the organisation's name, and omit it later if it is also the publisher
  • Multiple works by one author — give the name once, then use three hyphens and a period for each following entry, ordered alphabetically by title
  • Screen name — use it exactly as it appears, capitalisation included

Frequently asked questions

Is the works cited the same as a bibliography?

No. In MLA, the works cited page lists only the sources you actually cited. A bibliography lists everything you read, even if you didn't cite it.

What if two sources have the same author?

In MLA 9, you alphabetize by the first author's last name and use three hyphens (---) instead of the author's name for the second and later entries. Sort them by title (skipping the article A/An/The).

Does the works cited page start on a new page?

Yes. It begins on its own page, with the words Works Cited centred at the top, and continues the paper's page numbering and double spacing.

How do I list a source with no author?

Begin the entry with the title and alphabetize it by the first significant word, ignoring A, An, and The. In the text, cite a shortened form of the title.

Is the works cited generator free?

Yes. MLA works cited entries, BibTeX, and RIS export are free with no sign-up required.