How do I cite Wikipedia in MLA?

To cite Wikipedia 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 Wikipedia in MLA?

In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is ("Title of Article")

How to Cite Wikipedia in MLA (9th edition)

Learn how to cite Wikipedia articles and wiki entries 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 Wikipedia in your Works Cited page:

"Title of Article." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Day Month Year, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Title_of_Article&oldid=123456789.

MLA Example for Wikipedia

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

“Citation.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Aug. 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Citation&oldid=1234567890.

Matching in-text citation: (“Citation”)

MLA In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

("Title of Article")

Narrative

The Wikipedia entry "Title of Article" notes...

Key MLA Formatting Rules

Omit the author and put the article title in quotation marks.
List Wikipedia as the container (italicized), followed by the publisher, Wikimedia Foundation.
Give the date the page was last edited in day-month-year order.
End with the permalink URL; add an access date because Wikipedia content changes.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Wikipedia.
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 Wikipedia in MLA?: To cite Wikipedia 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 Wikipedia citation?: The MLA format for Wikipedia is: "Title of Article." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Day Month Year, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Title_of_Article&oldid=123456789.
What does the in-text citation look like for Wikipedia in MLA?: In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is ("Title of Article")