How to Cite a YouTube Video in MLA (9th edition)
Learn how to cite YouTube and online videos 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 youtube video in your Works Cited page:
"Title of Video." YouTube, uploaded by Channel Name, Day Month Year, www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx.
MLA Example for a YouTube Video
A complete MLA reference for a youtube video, formatted by the official MLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Study Lab. “Introduction to Citation Styles.” YouTube, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBcD1234. Video.
Matching in-text citation: (Study Lab)
MLA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
("Title of Video")
Narrative
The video "Title" shows...
Key MLA Formatting Rules
- Put the video title in quotation marks and italicize YouTube as the container.
- Credit the channel with "uploaded by" unless the channel owner made the video.
- Give the full upload date as Day Month Year.
- Include the URL without https://.
- In the text, cite a time range (00:01:15–00:02:00) instead of a page number.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your youtube 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 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
- channel name and the creator's real name if known
- video title
- upload date
- running time
- video URL
- timestamp of the passage you quote
Common metadata traps
- Use the upload date shown under the video, not the date you watched it.
- Credit the channel as author only when it made the video; otherwise name the creator and note the channel.
Editorial sources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a youtube video in MLA?
- To cite a youtube 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 youtube video citation?
- The MLA format for a youtube video is: "Title of Video." YouTube, uploaded by Channel Name, Day Month Year, www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx.
- What does the in-text citation look like for a youtube video in MLA?
- In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is ("Title of Video")
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