What does Formatly actually do?

Formatly formats your document — margins, spacing, fonts, headings, page layout, and structure — all matched to your chosen style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). We don't edit your writing, check grammar, or validate citations. You write it; we make it look right.

Which citation styles are supported?

Formatly supports APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, Chicago Manual of Style, Harvard, and Turabian. We continuously evaluate new styles based on user requests.

How long does formatting take?

Most documents are formatted in about 30 seconds. The time depends on document size and length, but our engine is optimised for speed without sacrificing accuracy.

Yes. Your documents are processed in real-time and only you can access them. We never see, store, or share your content — your work stays yours.

MLA 9th Edition Formatting Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Understanding MLA 9th Edition Guidelines

Have you ever found yourself staring at your paper, wondering whether the header should be right-aligned or centered? You are not alone. MLA format has its own set of rules that can feel overwhelming at first. Let us break them down in plain language.

The MLA 9th edition, published in 2021, updated the Modern Language Association guidelines for academic writing. Whether you are writing a literature review or a research paper in the humanities, these rules ensure your work is clear and professional.

1. Page Layout: Margins, Font, and Spacing

MLA requires consistent formatting throughout your document.

Margins: 1 inch on all four sides.
Font: 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri.
Spacing: Double-space the entire paper.
Alignment: Left-align text. Do not justify.
Indentation: Indent first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.

2. The MLA Heading and Header

MLA does not use a title page unless required. Place a heading in the top-left corner of the first page: your name, instructor name, course name, and date (day-month-year). Add a running header top-right with your last name and page number.

3. In-Text Citations

MLA uses the author-page method: (Wordsworth 263). If you mention the author in the sentence, only include the page number.

4. The Works Cited Page

Start on a new page with centered bold title Works Cited. Entries alphabetized by author last name with hanging indent of 0.5 inches.

Simplify MLA Formatting with Formatly

Manually adjusting running headers, hanging indents, and Works Cited entries is tedious. Do not risk losing marks on formatting. See our annotated bibliography guide or compare Formatly vs PERRLA. Upload your manuscript and get formatted MLA in 30 seconds.