How to cite ChatGPT in MLA
The MLA 9th edition format for AI-generated text, a finished example, and a generator below that fills it in for you.
“Description of prompt” prompt. ChatGPT, version, OpenAI, Day Mon. Year, chatgpt.com.
“Explain the main causes of the French Revolution” prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-6, OpenAI, 20 Sept. 2026, chatgpt.com.
Parenthetical: (“Explain the main causes”)
Watch out: No author: begin with a description of your prompt in quotation marks, then ChatGPT in italics as the container.
Response generated by ChatGPT. ChatGPT, OpenAI.
In-text citation
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Tips for citing AI
- APA (APA Style blog, 2023): author = OpenAI, year of the model version, title ChatGPT in italics, then (version) and [Large language model].
- MLA (MLA Style Center, 2023): start with a description of the prompt in quotation marks, then ChatGPT as the container, version, OpenAI and the date you generated it.
- Chicago (Chicago Manual of Style Online Q&A): cite in a footnote only; a bibliography entry is needed only if there is a publicly shareable link.
- Quote the prompt and the relevant part of the answer in your text or an appendix — readers can’t retrieve your conversation.
See this source in all four styles side by side: how to cite chatgpt. For the rest of the paper, read the MLA format guide.
MLA ChatGPT citation questions
What is the MLA format for a ChatGPT?
“Description of prompt” prompt. ChatGPT, version, OpenAI, Day Mon. Year, chatgpt.com.
What do students most often get wrong?
No author: begin with a description of your prompt in quotation marks, then ChatGPT in italics as the container.
Is ChatGPT a credible source?
Usually not for facts: its answers can be wrong and cannot be retrieved by your reader. Use it to cite what the AI said (for example, when analysing AI output), and cite the original sources for facts.
Which date do I use?
APA uses the year of the model version you used. MLA and Chicago use the date the response was generated.
Does the same format work for Claude, Gemini or Copilot?
Yes. Replace the model name, version and company (for example Anthropic, Google or Microsoft).