How to Cite a YouTube Video in MLA 9th Edition

This guide explains how to format a youtube video citation in MLA 9th Edition. Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a youtube video in MLA 9th Edition:

Template

"Title of Video." YouTube, uploaded by Channel Name, Day Month Year, URL.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

("You Are Not Where You Think You Are")

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your Works Cited:

Works Cited entry

"You Are Not Where You Think You Are." YouTube, uploaded by Kurzgesagt -- In a Nutshell, 7 Mar. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj-h6MEgE7I.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Write the video title
Place the video title in quotation marks using title case.
2
Add the platform name
Write "YouTube" in italics as the container name. Follow with a comma.
3
Include the uploader
Write "uploaded by" followed by the channel name.
4
Add the upload date
Write the date in Day Month Year format, abbreviating months as needed.
5
Include the URL
Provide the video URL without "https://".

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not placing the video title in quotation marks.
Forgetting to italicize "YouTube" as the container/website name.
Omitting "uploaded by" before the channel name.
Including the full protocol (https://) in the URL.
Using the channel name as the author (MLA places it after "uploaded by").

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I use the channel name or the person's real name in MLA?

MLA typically uses the channel name as the uploader. If the creator's real name is relevant and known, you can use it in place of the channel name or include both: "uploaded by Real Name (Channel Name)."

How do I cite a timestamp in a YouTube video in MLA?

Include the timestamp in your in-text reference: ("Video Title" 00:03:42). Use the format hours:minutes:seconds.

What if a YouTube video has been deleted or is unavailable?

Cite it as you normally would with all available information. You may add a note in your text indicating the video is no longer available.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your youtube video:

Creator/Channel name
Date of upload
Title of video
Website name (YouTube)
URL

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Step-by-Step Guide

Write the video title

Place the video title in quotation marks using title case.

Add the platform name

Write "YouTube" in italics as the container name. Follow with a comma.

Include the uploader

Write "uploaded by" followed by the channel name.

Add the upload date

Write the date in Day Month Year format, abbreviating months as needed.

Include the URL

Provide the video URL without "https://".