MLA Interview Citation Generator

Person Interviewed

Interview Title (optional)

Interviewer (optional)

Container (Publication / Show / Podcast)

Date

URL (optional)

Personal Interview? (optional)

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Your MLA interview citation will appear here as you fill in the fields…

Published Magazine Interview — Works Cited Entry

Winfrey, Oprah. "Finding Your Purpose at Every Age." Interview by Gayle King. O, The Oprah Magazine, 22 Sep. 2024, www.oprahmag.com/finding-purpose.

In-Text Citation:

(Winfrey)

Personal Interview — Works Cited Entry

Nguyen, David. Personal interview. 3 Apr. 2025.

In-Text Citation:

(Nguyen)

Enter the name of the person interviewed in Last name, First name format — they are the author of an interview citation.
If the interview has a specific title (e.g., "Discussing Climate Policy"), type it in the Interview Title field. If untitled, leave it blank.
Add the interviewer's name using 'Interview by First Last' format if known and relevant.
Enter the publication or broadcast container — the magazine, show, podcast, or website where the interview was published.
Add the publication date and URL if the interview is available online.
Click Generate Citation to format your Works Cited entry.

💡 Pro Tips

For personal interviews you conducted yourself, the format differs — list the interviewee's name, the label 'Personal interview,' and the date.
If the interview appeared as part of a TV show or podcast episode, the show is the container.

MLA 9 distinguishes between published interviews (found in magazines, TV shows, podcasts, or websites) and personal interviews (conducted by the writer). Published interviews are cited based on where they appeared — the publication is the container. Personal interviews are cited with a descriptive label.

📐 Citation Structure

Interviewee Last, First. — Person who was interviewed
"Interview Title.” — If titled, in quotation marks
Interview by First Last. — Interviewer, if known
Container Title, — Publication, show, or website in italics
Date, URL. — Publication date and web location

Important formatting details:

For published interviews, the interviewee is always the author element.
If the interview has no title, use the descriptive label 'Interview' after the interviewee name.
Personal interviews: Last, First. Personal interview. DD Mon. YYYY.
Broadcast interviews on TV or radio list the show name as the container.

List the interviewee as the author, put the interview title in quotation marks (if it has one), include the interviewer with 'Interview by,' then add the publication container, date, and URL. Example: Obama, Barack. "On Leadership and Legacy." Interview by David Letterman. My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, Netflix, 12 Jan. 2018.

For an interview you conducted yourself, use this format: Last, First. Personal interview. Day Mon. Year. Example: Rodriguez, Maria. Personal interview. 15 Mar. 2025. No URL or publication details are needed for personal interviews.

The interviewee is always the author. The interviewer is listed as a contributor using 'Interview by.' This is because the interviewee's words are the primary content being cited.

List the interviewee, the episode title in quotation marks, 'Interview by' the host, the podcast name in italics as the container, the episode date, and the URL or platform.

Including the interviewer is recommended when their identity adds context (e.g., a well-known journalist or researcher), but it is not strictly required. If included, use 'Interview by First Last.'