How to Cite ChatGPT in MLA

• Written by Hannah Berry (Ph.D.)
• Reviewed by Amy McInerney

• Published on 01/02/2024
• Updated on 01/05/2026

Citing sources is crucial to give credit to the original creators of ideas and information. This article offers a step by step guide on citing ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI, in the MLA format. Note that as a responsible user of AI, it’s important to always review the output of ChatGPT, and to cite whenever you use ChatGPT in your work. This includes the creation of images, ideas, and content.

• Works Cited Entry: Enclose the ChatGPT prompt in quotation marks, including AI model, version date, developer, date received, and general URL.
• In-Text Citation: Use a shortened prompt (the first phrase in quotation marks) consistently in your text, aligning with the Works Cited entry.

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CITATION ELEMENTS FOR CHATGPT

When citing a response from ChatGPT, the Works Cited entry should include the following elements:

• Title of the Prompt: Enclose the specific prompt you used in quotation marks. You can copy and paste this into your works cited page.
• Name of the AI Model: Write ChatGPT after the prompt in italics.
• Version Date: Include the version date of ChatGPT you used, which is usually mentioned at the bottom of the response. If you are unsure of the version date, you can simply ask ChatGPT what version you are using.
• Developer: Specify OpenAI as the developer of ChatGPT.
• Date Received: Provide the date when you received the response from ChatGPT.
• General URL: Include the general URL of the ChatGPT tool. This does not need to be the link to the prompt you used.

IN-TEXT CITATION FOR CHATGPT

When you write your paper, remember to include an in-text citation where you use words, ideas, or even images from ChatGPT. This reference should be shortened to the first phrase of the ChatGPT prompt, enclosed in quotes.

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Consistency for accuracy: Maintain uniformity between the Works Cited entry and in-text citation to ensure accurate and proper MLA format for ChatGPT references. Use descriptive prompts: When formulating prompts for ChatGPT, opt for clear and descriptive language. A well crafted prompt ensures that the response you receive is relevant and aligns with your research needs. This not only enhances the quality of the information but also simplifies the citation process.  Save your link to your chat: While researching, it’s a good idea to capture the specific links to your chats with ChatGPT. By copying and posting your link, you’ll be able to access your chat in the future. While you don’t need to include the specific link in your works cited, it can be helpful to you to refer back to your conversations.  Check the output: When using ChatGPT, you always want to review the output information. Lateral reading, or checking the information on other websites, can ensure that you are receiving correct information. While AI chatbots are getting better with fewer hallucinations, it’s still important for researchers to make sure the information is legitimate.