Published February 1, 2021. Updated August 5, 2021.

To cite a textbook in MLA, it’s helpful to know basic information including the textbook title, contributors, and publication details.

The templates and examples below are based on the MLA Handbook, 9th edition.

If you’re trying to cite a textbook, the Chegg Writing MLA citation generator could help.

Help protect your paper against accidental plagiarism with the Chegg Writing plagiarism checker and citation generator.

General note: in-prose vs. parenthetical in-text citations

There are two in-text citation formats: in-prose and parenthetical.

In-prose citations read as a part of the text. Usually, this means that the author’s name is mentioned within the sentence and the page number(s) will be enclosed in parentheses at the end of the sentence:

Boelkins issued … (207).

Parenthetical citations are not read as a part of the text. Instead, both the author surname and the page range are enclosed in parentheses.

.. issued (Boelkins 207).

Read this MLA format guide for more style basics.

Citing a print textbook in MLA style

For citing a print textbook in MLA, the surname of the author(s) is used in the in-prose and parenthetical citations.

In-text citation template and example:

In-prose:

Author Surname (Page Number)

Bell (360).

Parenthetical:

(Author Surname Page Number).

(Bell 360).

Works cited entry template and example:

Citing a digital textbook in MLA style

For citing a digital textbook in MLA, the surname of the author(s) is used in the in-prose and parenthetical citations.

In-text citation template and example:

In-prose:

Author Surname (Page Number)

Boelkins (207)

Parenthetical:

(Author Surname Page Number)

(Boelkins 207)

Works cited entry template and example:

For more information on citing sources in MLA, also read these guides on MLA in-text citations and MLA works cited examples.