APA vs. MLA: How to Cite Sources Correctly
Updated June 2026
APA & MLA citations.
APA and MLA are the two most common citation styles in school. They format the same source differently — here's how to tell them apart and get them right.
When to use each
- MLA (Modern Language Association) — English, literature, and the humanities.
- APA (American Psychological Association) — psychology, education, nursing, and the social sciences.
Your instructor or syllabus decides which one. When it's not stated, MLA is the safe default for an English class and APA for a science or social-science class.
The key differences
| MLA | APA | |
|---|---|---|
| Reference page name | Works Cited | References |
| In-text | (Smith 42) | (Smith, 2024, p. 42) |
| Date emphasis | Low | High (year is prominent) |
| Author name | Full first name | First initial only |
A book in each style
MLA: Last, First. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
APA: Last, F. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.
Notice APA puts the year right after the author and only uses the first initial, while MLA spells out the first name and puts the year at the end.
The easy way
Memorizing punctuation rules is the hard path. The free citation generator below takes your source details and formats a correct APA or MLA citation you can paste straight into your paper.
APA & MLA citations.
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier, APA or MLA?
Both are similar in difficulty. MLA has slightly simpler in-text citations; APA is stricter about dates and capitalization.
Do I need to cite my own ideas?
No — you only cite facts, quotes, and ideas that come from a source. Your own analysis doesn't need a citation.