To MLA cite a YouTube video, follow this general format for the Works Cited entry:
-
If the creator and uploader are the same:
"Title of Video." YouTube , uploaded by Username, Day Month Year, URL. -
If the creator is different from the uploader:
Creator Last Name, First Name. "Title of Video." YouTube , uploaded by Username, Day Month Year, URL.
Details:
- The video title is placed in quotation marks and follows standard MLA capitalization rules.
- YouTube is italicized as the container.
- Include the uploader’s name (YouTube channel name) after "uploaded by."
- Provide the full upload date (day month year).
- End with the full URL of the video.
- For in-text citations, use the creator’s last name or the shortened video title in quotation marks, e.g., ("Shortened Title") or (Creator Last Name)
Example when creator and uploader are the same:
“First Look Inside Notre-Dame after Fire.” YouTube , uploaded by BBC News,
16 Apr. 2019,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zpw_KAEhDY.
Example when creator and uploader differ:
Newsom, Joanna. “‘Sapokanikan’ (Official Video).” YouTube , uploaded by Drag
City, 10 Aug. 2015,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky9Ro9pP2gc.
In-text citation example:
(Newsom) or (“First Look Inside”)
. This format aligns with MLA 9th edition guidelines and is suitable for citing most YouTube videos in academic writing
