MLA 9th edition was published in 2021. It refines MLA 8 with clearer guidance on inclusive language, updated source types including streaming and social media, and minor formatting clarifications. For most standard sources, MLA 8 and MLA 9 produce nearly identical citations.
MLA 8 vs MLA 9: What Actually Changed?
MLA 9 is an evolutionary update, not a complete overhaul. Here are the substantive differences:
Change 1 — Inclusive language guidance added
MLA 9 adds a new chapter on inclusive language, guidance on citing works by authors whose names or identities have changed, and how to use non-binary pronouns in literary analysis.
Change 2 — URL vs DOI recommendation clarified
MLA 9 more clearly prefers DOIs over URLs when both are available. It also recommends shortening long URLs using a DOI or permalink where possible.
Change 3 — New source types covered
MLA 9 explicitly covers streaming media (Netflix, Spotify), social media posts (Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok), podcasts, and online images with expanded examples.
Change 4 — "Supplemental elements" more clearly defined
MLA 9 better distinguishes between "optional supplemental elements" (like original publication dates and physical descriptions) and required elements.
Bottom line: If you're citing a book, journal article, or website, your MLA 8 and MLA 9 citations will look essentially the same. The differences matter most for digital-native and nontraditional sources.
MLA 9 Works Cited Examples
Journal Article
MLA 9 example
Hassan, Nadia. "Postcolonial Frameworks in Contemporary African Literature." PMLA, vol. 138, no. 2, Mar. 2023, pp. 345–362. doi:10.1632/S0030812923000123.
Book
MLA 9 example
Toni Morrison. Beloved. Vintage International, 2004.
Streaming Film (new in MLA 9)
MLA 9 example — Netflix film
The Power of the Dog. Directed by Jane Campion, performances by Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst, Netflix, 2021.
Social Media Post (new in MLA 9)
MLA 9 example — Twitter/X post
@NASA. "Hubble captures breathtaking view of a celestial event called a Herbig-Haro object." Twitter, 20 Mar. 2023, twitter.com/NASA/status/1234567890.
Podcast Episode (new in MLA 9)
MLA 9 example
Koenig, Sarah, host. "The Alibi." Serial, season 1, episode 1, This American Life, 3 Oct. 2014. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serial/id917918570.
Generate MLA 9 Citations in Seconds
Our free MLA 9 citation generator handles all standard and digital source types. Just select your source and fill in the details — no manual formatting needed.
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MLA 9 Works Cited Page Format
The Works Cited page format is unchanged from MLA 8:
- New page at the end of the paper; center the heading "Works Cited"
- Alphabetical order by author's last name (or title if no author)
- Hanging indent: first line flush left, all subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches
- Double-spaced throughout — no extra space between entries
- Italicize container titles (journals, books, websites, streaming platforms)
MLA 9 In-Text Citation Format
Unchanged from MLA 8 — author surname and page number in parentheses:
Standard in-text
(Morrison 124)
No page number (digital source)
(Hassan)
Multiple sources in one citation
(Hassan; Morrison 124)
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use MLA 8 or MLA 9 for my paper?▼
Use whichever your instructor specifies. If your syllabus or assignment sheet doesn't specify, ask your instructor. Most college-level writing courses now expect MLA 9 (the current edition), but MLA 8 is widely accepted because the differences are minimal for standard sources.
Does MLA 9 require page numbers in all in-text citations?▼
No. Page numbers are included when available (printed books, paginated PDFs). For websites, streaming, and other un-paginated sources, only the author's name is needed: (Smith). You can add a paragraph number if available: (Smith, par. 5).
Is there a free MLA 9 citation generator?▼
Yes — GradeEssays provides a free MLA 9 citation generator at
/citation-generator/mla-9. It handles books, journal articles, websites, streaming, and more, applying the current MLA 9 standards.
How do I cite a TikTok video in MLA 9?▼
Use the social media post format: @Username or Creator Name. "Description of video or first words." TikTok, Day Mon. Year, tiktok.com/@username/video/XXXX. Example: @NASA. "Watch a black hole devour a star in this incredible simulation." TikTok, 15 Apr. 2023, tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7221234567890.