How to Use AI to Generate APA & MLA Citations in 2025

Manually creating APA or MLA citations can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially when juggling multiple sources. It's hard to remember formatting rules, and it can be easy to spend valuable time fixing errors in your reference pages.

AI citation generators help students quickly create accurate APA and MLA citations by automating the formatting process. These tools save time and ensure compliance with the latest citation guidelines.

It's important to cite sources & avoid plagiarism. Studies show that ~30% of students admit they have plagiarized before.

In this article, we'll cover how to use AI to generate APA & MLA citations, some things to keep in mind, and a few things to avoid in order to generate accurate citations.

APA & MLA Citation Formats

APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association) are two widely used citation styles. Each has unique guidelines for citing sources.

As a brief reminder, here are the required formats for both APA and MLA citations:

APA Format

APA focuses on author-date citations. Commonly used in sciences and social sciences, APA includes elements like the author's name, year of publication, title, and publisher. Citations often follow this structure:

• Universal Format: Author(s). (Year). Title. Publisher. DOI/URL (if applicable).

• Book: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work. Publisher.

• Journal: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Pages. https://doi.org/xx.xxxx

• Website: Author(s). (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Website Name. URL

MLA Format

MLA emphasizes the author and page number, commonly used in humanities fields. It includes details like the author's name, title of the source, and container (e.g., journal or book). Citations follow this structure:

• Universal Format: Author(s). "Title of Work." Container, Publisher, Year, URL.

• Book: Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Work. Publisher, Year.

• Journal: Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Journal Name, vol. X, no. X, Year, pp. XX-XX.

• Website: Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Webpage." Website Name, Day Month Year, URL.

Understanding these formats ensures you can verify AI-generated citations for accuracy.

How to Use AI to Generate APA & MLA Citations

AI tools make generating citations faster and easier, but using them effectively requires a clear process. The following steps outline how to leverage AI citation tools for accurate APA and MLA citations.

Here's how to use AI to generate APA & MLA citations:

Choose a Reliable Tool

Start by selecting a trusted AI citation generator. Ensure the tool is up-to-date with the latest citation guidelines to avoid errors.

Check out our recommendation for the best free AI citation generator below.

Input Your Source Details

Provide the AI tool with all necessary information about your source, such as the author's name, title, publication date, and type of source.

This ensures the tool generates a complete and accurate citation. The more detailed your input, the better the output.

Check out the APA & MLA's official websites for any questions about formatting of citations for different situations.

Select Your Citation Style

After entering your source details, choose the correct style—APA or MLA—from the tool’s options. Most tools allow you to switch styles easily if needed. This flexibility is useful when working on assignments that require different formats.

Just make sure in your prompt, you add the style you want the citation in.

Generate the Citation

Let the AI tool process your input to create the citation. Review the output for formatting and completeness. Many tools also offer in-text citations, saving additional time.

Depending on what you need, denote the type of citation in your prompt. Ex: citation for references page, in-text citation, etc.

Copy the Citation

Once your citation is generated, save or copy it for use in your document. Some tools allow exporting directly to reference management software.

Keeping all citations organized will make creating a bibliography much easier.

Verify the Citation

Always double-check the generated citation against official guidelines. AI tools can sometimes misinterpret inputs, especially for less common source types. Verifying ensures your citations meet academic standards.

Best Free AI MLA & APA Citation Generators

If you are looking for an AI citation generator for APA or MLA citations, look no further than AI Blaze.

AI Blaze is the ultimate AI studying & writing assistant Chrome extension that helps students quickly generate APA or MLA citations for any article or website!

AI Blaze can read the required information for a citation directly from the article or website, making sure the generated citations are accurate and up to date. Plus, it is free for students!

Features

• Generate citations in any format on any site - AI Blaze can help you generate citations in any PDF, article, or website.

• Your AI studying & writing assistant - AI Blaze can help you study with practice tests, generate citations, and even help improve your writing!

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Tips for AI Citation Generators for APA & MLA Citations

AI tools can streamline citation creation, but using them effectively requires a few best practices. Following these tips will help you get the most accurate and reliable results from your citation generator.

Here are a few things to make sure you check when using AI citation generators:

Provide Complete Source Details

When entering source information, ensure every field is filled out accurately. Include details like author names, publication dates, titles, and URLs or DOIs for online sources.

Incomplete inputs can result in citations with missing elements or incorrect formatting.

Use Official Sources

Whenever possible, provide official or credible sources for the AI to work with. This is especially important for online materials where unreliable links can lead to inaccurate citations.

Reliable sources improve the quality and trustworthiness of your references.

Double-Check the Publication Date

For articles and websites, ensure the correct publication date is entered, especially for updated or multi-version content. Some websites display the original publication date and the last updated date—use the one most appropriate for your citation style.

Incorrect dates can affect the accuracy of your citation and the credibility of your work.

Identify and Include Page Numbers (if Applicable)

When citing online articles or PDFs, check for page numbers and include them if required by your citation style.

MLA, for example, often uses page numbers for in-text citations, while APA may require them for direct quotes. Omitting page numbers where needed can lead to incomplete citations.

Things to Avoid When Using AI to Generate APA & MLA Citations

While AI citation tools are helpful, there are common mistakes students should avoid to ensure their citations are accurate and professional. Being aware of these pitfalls can save time and prevent errors in your academic work.

Here are a few things to avoid when using AI to generate APA & MLA citations:

• Blind Trust in AI - Always review AI-generated citations for accuracy as tools can occasionally produce errors.

• Skipping Manual Verification - Overlooking details like punctuation or missing elements can lead to incomplete or incorrect citations.

• Ignoring Edition Updates - Ensure the AI tool follows the latest APA (7th edition) and MLA (9th edition) guidelines to avoid formatting issues.

• Using Unverified Tools - Avoid less-known tools with outdated databases; stick to reputable citation generators.

• Overlooking Source Types - Double-check that the AI correctly identifies and formats your source type, such as books, websites, or articles.

Avoiding these issues ensures your citations are accurate and aligned with academic standards. Taking a few extra minutes to verify citations can make a big difference in the quality of your work.

Generate Accurate APA & MLA Citations With AI

AI citation generators make it easier for students to handle APA and MLA formatting. By choosing reliable tools, inputting complete details, and verifying outputs, students can save time and focus on their studies.

Follow the tips and avoid common mistakes to ensure your citations are flawless. AI can simplify your academic journey—just use it wisely!

Use AI Blaze to generate APA or MLA citations anywhere using AI for free!