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

Learn how to cite podcast episodes and series 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 podcast in your Works Cited page:

"Title of Episode." Podcast Name, hosted by Host Name, season #, episode #, Publisher, Day Month Year.

MLA Example for a Podcast

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

Garcia, Miguel. “Research Methods Today.” The Academic Hour, episode 42, Scholar Media, 5 Feb. 2024, https://www.example.org/academic-hour/42. Audio podcast episode.

Matching in-text citation: (Garcia)

MLA In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

("Episode Title")

Narrative

In the episode, Host states...

Key MLA Formatting Rules

  • Put the episode title in quotation marks.
  • Italicize the podcast name as the container.
  • Credit the host with "hosted by" and give season and episode numbers.
  • Include the publisher or platform and the release date (Day Month Year).
  • Add the URL if you listened online.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your podcast.
  2. Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the MLA (9th edition) template shown above.
  3. Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
  4. Add to your Works Cited: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
  5. 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

Metadata to collect

  • host or producer
  • episode title
  • podcast name
  • season and episode numbers
  • release date
  • publisher or platform
  • URL

Common metadata traps

  • Cite the specific episode rather than the podcast as a whole.
  • Prefer the publisher's own episode page over an app link that only some readers can open.
Read the detailed source guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a podcast in MLA?
To cite a podcast 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 podcast citation?
The MLA format for a podcast is: "Title of Episode." Podcast Name, hosted by Host Name, season #, episode #, Publisher, Day Month Year.
What does the in-text citation look like for a podcast in MLA?
In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is ("Episode Title")

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Cite a Podcast in Other Styles

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