APA and MLA Citation Generator
APA 7 · MLA 9 · Supplied source details
Format a reference, then check it against your source
Create one reference entry and a standalone parenthetical citation for a webpage, journal article or book. The generator uses pinned Citation Style Language rules in English (US); it does not find, read or verify the source.
Your details stay in the isolated workspace. Missing information is flagged, not invented. Review names, capitalization, dates and your instructor or publisher requirements before using a citation.
(c) Frank Bennett — citeproc-js implements the Citation Style Language. CSL styles and locale: CC BY-SA 3.0. Attribution and source notices · Covered source archive · CPAL license
Questions about citation formatting
Which styles and source types are supported?
This release formats APA 7th edition and MLA 9th edition references for webpages, journal articles and books using the English (US) locale. It handles one source at a time, not an entire bibliography, and does not cover every source type or publisher variation.
Does a DOI or URL automatically fill the source details?
No. You supply the author, title, date and publication information. URLs and DOI strings are checked for supported syntax, not fetched or verified. A formatted reference does not prove that the source exists, supports a claim or is appropriate to cite.
How should I handle missing information?
Leave unavailable optional information blank and read the warnings. Do not invent authors, publishers, dates or page numbers. The selected style may use a title or no-date fallback; incomplete metadata still needs your review against the original source.
Can I use the parenthetical preview throughout my paper?
It is a standalone preview for one source. Other works in your document can require disambiguation, year suffixes or different repeated-citation handling. Review document-wide consistency and the requirements of your instructor, journal or publisher.
Are my references uploaded or saved?
No. Formatting happens in an isolated browser workspace without uploads or saved projects. The surrounding public page makes normal site requests. Downloads can include private source details; review them before sharing. Plain-text exports do not preserve italics or other rich formatting.