How do I cite a patent in MLA?

To cite a patent in MLA (9th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What does the in-text citation look like for a patent in MLA?

In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Inventor)

How to Cite a Patent in MLA (9th edition)

Learn how to cite a patent or intellectual property filing in MLA format (9th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

MLA Works Cited Format

Here is the standard MLA format for citing a patent in your Works Cited page:

Inventor Last Name, First Name. Title of Patent. U.S. Patent Number XXXXXXX, Day Month Year.

MLA Example for a Patent

A complete MLA reference for a patent, formatted by the official MLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

Lindqvist, Erik. Automated Bibliographic Reference Parser. US 10,482,119 B2, 19 Nov. 2019, https://patents.example.org/US10482119.

Matching in-text citation: (Lindqvist)

MLA In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

(Inventor)

Narrative

Inventor describes...

Key MLA Formatting Rules

List the inventor as the author.
Include the patent number and the date issued.
Identify the issuing patent office.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your patent.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the MLA (9th edition) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your Works Cited: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match MLA requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

CSL style record: mla.csl

Editorial sources

MLA Style Center — works cited →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a patent in MLA?: To cite a patent in MLA (9th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the MLA format for a patent citation?: The MLA format for a patent is: Inventor Last Name, First Name. Title of Patent. U.S. Patent Number XXXXXXX, Day Month Year.
What does the in-text citation look like for a patent in MLA?: In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Inventor)