APA vs MLA: Key Differences
APA and MLA are two of the most widely used citation styles in academia, but they differ in important ways. APA (American Psychological Association 7th Edition) the most widely used citation style in the social sciences. MLA (Modern Language Association 9th Edition) the standard citation style for the humanities. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right format for your paper.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | APA | MLA |
|---|---|---|
| Citation System | Author-Date | Author-Date |
| In-Text Format | (Author, Year) | (Author Page) |
| Reference List Name | Reference List | Works Cited |
| Edition | 7th edition | 9th edition |
| Common Fields | Psychology, Education, Social Sciences, Nursing, Business | Literature, Languages, Arts, Humanities, Cultural Studies |
When to Use APA
APA (American Psychological Association 7th Edition) uses a parenthetical author-date citation system with (Author, Year) in-text citations and a Reference List at the end of the paper. It is most commonly used in Psychology, Education, Social Sciences, and related fields.
When to Use MLA
MLA (Modern Language Association 9th Edition) uses a parenthetical author-date citation system with (Author Page) in-text citations and a Works Cited at the end of the paper. It is most commonly used in Literature, Languages, Arts, and related fields.
See the Difference in Action
Try our interactive comparison tool to compare APA and MLA citations side by side using your own sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between APA and MLA?
- APA and MLA differ in their in-text citation format, reference list structure, and the academic disciplines that use them. APA uses (Author, Year) in-text citations with a Reference List, while MLA uses (Author Page) with a Works Cited.
- Which is better, APA or MLA?
- Neither APA nor MLA is inherently better. The right choice depends on your academic discipline, your instructor's requirements, or the journal you are submitting to. Check your assignment guidelines or target publication to determine which style to use.
- Can I switch between APA and MLA?
- Yes, you can switch between APA and MLA using CitationEasy's free citation generator. Simply select the desired style and your citations will be reformatted automatically. However, you should only use one style per paper unless your instructor says otherwise.