How do I cite a preprint in MLA?

To cite a preprint 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 preprint in MLA?

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

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

Learn how to cite arXiv, bioRxiv, and other preprint server papers 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 preprint in your Works Cited page:

Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Preprint." Repository Name, Day Month Year, https://doi.org/xxxxx. Preprint.

MLA Example for a Preprint

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

Petrov, Ivan, and Akua Osei. “Reference Accuracy in Large Language Model Output.” arXiv, Preprint 2403.01234, 2 Mar. 2024, https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234.

Matching in-text citation: (Petrov and Osei)

MLA In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

(Author)

Narrative

According to Author, the preprint shows...

Key MLA Formatting Rules

Put the preprint title in quotation marks.
List the preprint repository as the container (italicized).
Include the date you accessed or the date the preprint was posted.
Add the optional descriptive label "Preprint" at the end of the entry.
Format a DOI as a full https://doi.org/ link; for a plain URL location, omit the https://.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your preprint.
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 preprint in MLA?: To cite a preprint 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 preprint citation?: The MLA format for a preprint is: Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Preprint." Repository Name, Day Month Year, https://doi.org/xxxxx. Preprint.
What does the in-text citation look like for a preprint in MLA?: In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Author)