Introduction
You just finished writing your paper, and then it hits you: you have no idea how to write the date in MLA format. Should it be August 5, 2026, or 5 August 2026? Does it need a comma? Where does it even go?
You are not alone. The MLA format date is one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of academic writing. Students get it wrong all the time, not because they are careless, but because the rules are different from everyday writing conventions.
This guide covers everything you need to know. You will learn how to write the date in your MLA heading, how to format publication dates in your Works Cited list, and how MLA 9 handles dates differently from older editions. By the end, you will have complete confidence every time you sit down to format a paper.
What Is the Correct MLA Format Date?
The MLA style date follows a Day Month Year order, with no commas. So instead of writing “August 5, 2026,” you write “5 August 2026.” This is the standard format across all date fields in an MLA paper, whether you are writing your heading or citing a source.
The Modern Language Association made this format the standard because it eliminates ambiguity. When you write “5 August 2026,” there is no confusion about which number is the day and which is the month.
Here is the basic rule to remember:
Day + Month (spelled out) + Year = MLA date format
Example: 5 August 2026
Where Does the Date Go in MLA Format?
Dates appear in two main places in an MLA paper:
- The MLA heading at the top of your first page
- The Works Cited list when citing sources
Each location follows slightly different rules, so it helps to understand both separately.
How to Write the Date in Your MLA Heading
The MLA Heading Date Format
Your MLA paper heading sits in the top left corner of your first page. It includes four lines in this order:
- Your full name
- Your instructor’s name
- The course name and number
- The date
The date in your MLA heading uses the standard Day Month Year format. You do not use commas. You do not abbreviate the month.
Correct example: 5 August 2026
Incorrect examples: August 5, 2026 Aug. 5, 2026 05/08/2026
Keep it simple. Spell out the month fully, place the day before it, and follow with the year. That is all you need for your MLA heading date.
Does MLA Use Day Month Year?
Yes, MLA always uses Day Month Year order. This applies to your heading and to most dates in your citations. It is the opposite of the American standard format (Month Day, Year), which can trip up a lot of writers. If you are used to writing dates the American way, just flip the order and drop the comma.Source:scribbr.com
How to Format Dates in MLA Works Cited Citations
The Works Cited page is where date formatting gets a little more detailed. Different types of sources have different date fields, and MLA 9 has updated rules that you need to follow.
MLA Citation Date: General Rules
For most sources, you include the publication date after the publisher’s name. The format is still Day Month Year for specific dates. For example:
Johnson, Maria. The Art of Writing. Penguin Books, 15 March 2023.
If you only know the year, you simply write the year alone:
Johnson, Maria. The Art of Writing. Penguin Books, 2023.
MLA Works Cited Date: Online Sources
For websites and online articles, you often need two dates:
- The publication or last updated date
- The date you accessed the source (access date)
The publication date goes right after the title or publisher. The access date goes at the very end of the citation, introduced by the word “Accessed.”
Example: Smith, Alex. “How to Format a Paper.” Writing Help Today, 10 July 2026. Accessed 5 August 2026.
How Is the Date Written in MLA 9?
MLA 9 (the ninth edition, published in 2021) keeps the Day Month Year format consistent across all citation types. One key update in MLA 9 is that you should always include an access date for online sources when no publication date is available. If the page has no clear date, you skip the publication date field and note only when you accessed it.
MLA 9 also emphasizes flexibility. If a source uses a season instead of a specific date (like “Spring 2025”), you include it exactly as shown: Spring 2025.
Do You Use Commas in MLA Dates?
No. MLA format does not use commas in dates. This is one of the biggest differences between MLA style and standard American writing.
In everyday writing, you might write: August 5, 2026. In MLA format, you write: 5 August 2026.
No comma between the day and month. No comma between the month and year. Just clean, straightforward Day Month Year.
The only time a comma might appear near a date is when it is part of the surrounding sentence structure, not the date itself.
MLA Format Date Examples at a Glance
Here is a quick reference table to keep things clear:
| Situation | Correct MLA Date Format |
|---|---|
| MLA heading date | 5 August 2026 |
| Book publication date | 2023 |
| Article with full date | 15 March 2023 |
| Website access date | Accessed 5 August 2026 |
| Seasonal publication | Spring 2025 |
| Unknown date | N.d. (no date) |
If a source has no date at all, MLA uses “n.d.” (lowercase, with periods) in place of a date.
Common MLA Date Mistakes to Avoid
Even careful writers make these errors. Watch out for the following:
Using the American date format. Writing “August 5, 2026” instead of “5 August 2026” is the most frequent mistake. Flip the order every time.
Abbreviating the month. MLA requires you to spell out the full month name in headings. In Works Cited entries, however, MLA 9 does abbreviate certain longer months (May, June, and July are never abbreviated because they are already short; months with six or more letters are abbreviated with a period in citations).
Forgetting the access date for online sources. If you cite a website, always include when you visited it. This protects your citation’s credibility.
Adding unnecessary commas. Drop the comma habit when you switch to MLA. The format is designed to be comma-free between date elements.
Using numbers only. Writing “5/8/2026” is never acceptable in MLA. Always spell out the month.
Quick Tips for Getting MLA Dates Right Every Time
Here are a few habits that will save you points on your next paper:
- Set a reminder to check your heading date before you submit. It sounds obvious, but many students forget to update it after writing across multiple days.
- Use a citation generator as a double check, but always verify the date format manually. Many tools still make errors.
- Read your Works Cited list out loud. If a date sounds off, it probably looks off too.
- Keep MLA 9 guidelines bookmarked. The official Purdue OWL website is a trusted free resource for MLA rules.
Conclusion
Getting the MLA format date right is simpler than it looks once you understand the core rule: always write dates in Day Month Year order, with no commas. Use this format in your heading, your in-text citations, and your Works Cited list. MLA 9 keeps this consistent, so once you have it down, you apply it everywhere.
Take a moment before your next submission to double check every date in your paper. It is one of those small details that can make a big difference in your grade and your credibility as a writer.
Do you have a specific MLA citation situation where you are unsure about the date format? Drop your question in the comments and let’s figure it out together.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct MLA format date? The correct MLA format date follows Day Month Year order with no commas. For example: 5 August 2026.
How do you write the date in MLA format? Write the day as a number, follow it with the fully spelled out month, then add the year. Do not use commas between any of these elements.
Where does the date go in MLA format? The date appears in two key places: the four-line heading at the top left of your first page, and the Works Cited list for source citations.
Does MLA use Day Month Year? Yes. MLA always uses Day Month Year order. This applies to headings, citations, and access dates for online sources.
Do you use commas in MLA dates? No. MLA format does not use commas in dates. The format is simply: 5 August 2026, with no punctuation between the day, month, and year.
How is the date written in MLA 9? MLA 9 uses the same Day Month Year format. It also clarifies that access dates for websites should be included when no publication date is available.
What is the MLA heading date format? Your heading date goes on the fourth line of your header, after your name, instructor’s name, and course name. It reads: 5 August 2026.
How do you format publication dates in MLA citations? For books, include the year after the publisher. For articles and websites with full dates, use Day Month Year. For online sources, also include an access date at the end of the citation: Accessed 5 August 2026.
What if a source has no date in MLA? Use “n.d.” in place of the date in your Works Cited entry. This tells your reader that no publication date was available.
Can you abbreviate months in MLA? In Works Cited citations, MLA 9 abbreviates months with five or more letters (e.g., Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.). In your paper heading, spell out the full month name.
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About the Author
Jordan Ellis is an academic writing coach and content strategist with over eight years of experience helping students and professionals master citation styles, essay structure, and research writing. Holding a Master’s degree in English Literature, Jordan has worked with university writing centers and online education platforms to make complex style guides approachable for everyday writers. When not writing, Jordan enjoys reading contemporary fiction and mentoring first-generation college students.
