How do I cite Perplexity in MLA?

To cite Perplexity 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 Perplexity in MLA?

In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (“I’d like a list”)

How to Cite Perplexity in MLA (9th edition)

Learn how to cite Perplexity AI answers, threads, and the sources they cite 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 Perplexity in your Works Cited page:

“Text of your question” prompt. Perplexity, Day Month Year, www.perplexity.ai/search/….

MLA Example for Perplexity

A complete MLA reference for Perplexity, written by hand and checked against the official MLA guidance for this source:

“I’d like a list of grammar topics that a student should understand by the time they graduate from high school” prompt. Perplexity, 20 May 2025, www.perplexity.ai/search/a457cb8c-c663-4c9b-b34e-cb03d8108b35.

Matching in-text citation: (“I’d like a list”)

MLA In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

(“I’d like a list”)

Narrative

Asked for high school grammar topics, Perplexity returned the sourced list summarized here (“I’d like a list”).

Key MLA Formatting Rules

Begin with your question in quotation marks followed by the word prompt; Perplexity is not the author.
Put Perplexity in the container slot; MLA omits a publisher whose name is essentially the same as the container, so Perplexity AI can be left out.
Add a model in the Version slot only if the thread displays one, then give the date and the perplexity.ai/search link without https://.
For any fact, open the page behind Perplexity’s numbered source and cite that page instead, since MLA warns that AI tools mis-summarize the sources they link.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Perplexity.
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 on this page are written by hand from the style's own published guidance and checked against it, because the general CSL styles do not encode this source's rules. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

Metadata to collect

the company that built the tool (Perplexity AI)
the date of the search thread
the thread title Perplexity assigned
the exact question you asked
the numbered web sources Perplexity cited
the public perplexity.ai/search link

Common metadata traps

Perplexity builds each answer from numbered web sources; open those pages and cite them directly for any fact, because APA’s Part 2 post treats AI used as a search tool like any other route to a published source.
Perplexity’s footnote numbers are not your citations; a summary can misstate what a source says, so check the wording against the page before quoting or paraphrasing it.
Do not name an underlying model unless the thread itself displays one; APA’s official example lists only Perplexity.

Editorial sources

MLA Style Center — works cited →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite Perplexity in MLA?: To cite Perplexity 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 Perplexity citation?: The MLA format for Perplexity is: “Text of your question” prompt. Perplexity, Day Month Year, www.perplexity.ai/search/….
What does the in-text citation look like for Perplexity in MLA?: In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (“I’d like a list”)