How do I cite a TikTok video in MLA?

To cite a TikTok video 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 TikTok video in MLA?

In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is An example of the Dark Academic aesthetic can be found on TikTok (Lilly).

How to Cite a TikTok Video in MLA (9th edition)

Learn how to cite TikTok videos and creator posts 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 TikTok video in your Works Cited page:

Creator Last Name, First Name [@username]. “Caption of the video.” TikTok, Day Month Year, www.tiktok.com/@username/video/xxxxx.

MLA Example for a TikTok Video

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

Lilly [@uvisaa]. “[I]f u like dark academia there’s a good chance you’ve seen my tumblr #darkacademia.” TikTok, 2020, www.tiktok.com/@uvisaa/video/6815708894900391173.

Matching in-text citation: (Lilly)

MLA In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

An example of the Dark Academic aesthetic can be found on TikTok (Lilly).

Narrative

Lilly’s TikTok video shows…

Key MLA Formatting Rules

Put the account name first and add the @handle in square brackets only when it differs from the name, as with Lilly [@uvisaa].
Use the whole caption, in quotation marks, as the title, keeping its lowercase, hashtags and any bracketed changes; if there is no caption, describe the video instead (Video of …) without quotation marks.
Name TikTok in italics as the container, then the date the post shows, then the URL without https://.
Add an access date at the end if the caption could have been edited or the video may be removed.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your TikTok video.
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

creator's name and @handle
caption text, including hashtags
posting date
video permalink
date you viewed it

Common metadata traps

Copying the profile URL or a vm.tiktok.com share link gives the reader the wrong page; use the full tiktok.com/@handle/video/ number of the video itself.
The song or sound credited at the bottom of a TikTok is not its author; the author is the account that posted the video.
Rewriting the caption in title case or dropping its hashtags changes the title; keep the caption exactly as the creator wrote it.

Editorial sources

MLA Style Center — works cited →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a TikTok video in MLA?: To cite a TikTok video 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 TikTok video citation?: The MLA format for a TikTok video is: Creator Last Name, First Name [@username]. “Caption of the video.” TikTok, Day Month Year, www.tiktok.com/@username/video/xxxxx.
What does the in-text citation look like for a TikTok video in MLA?: In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is An example of the Dark Academic aesthetic can be found on TikTok (Lilly).