How to Cite National Geographic in MLA 9 Format

What “National Geographic” is in MLA 9

In MLA 9, you do not use a special “National Geographic format.” You cite the source by its type, for example, a magazine article, a web article, a video, or a photograph. “National Geographic” usually functions as the container, meaning the larger publication or website that holds the specific item you used.

Most National Geographic sources fall into one of these categories:

• Magazine article (print or database)
• Web article on National Geographic’s website
• Online video (often on National Geographic or a linked platform)
• Photograph or photo essay page

The goal of MLA is consistency and traceability. A reader should be able to identify exactly what you used and find it again.

Core MLA 9 structure you will use

MLA 9 citations are built from “core elements” in a standard order. For National Geographic sources, you will usually use:

1. Author.
2. Title of source.
3. Title of container,
4. Other contributors,
5. Version,
6. Number,
7. Publisher,
8. Publication date,
9. Location.

Not every entry uses every element. You include what applies, and you do not add placeholders like “n.d.” if something is missing.

Author rules you must apply (and why they matter)

Your rules change how the author element is written. This matters because the author is the primary sorting tool in a Works Cited list, and it affects how readers connect your in-text citation to the full entry.

One author

• Use the author’s full first name, not initials.
• Invert the first author: Last, First Middle.

This supports clear identification and consistent alphabetizing.

Two authors

• First author is inverted.
• Second author is normal order.
• Use and between names.

This keeps MLA’s standard readability while still alphabetizing by the first author.

Three or more authors

• List only the first author (inverted, full first name).
• Add et al. immediately after.

This prevents long author strings while still giving credit and a clear lookup path.

No author

• Start with the title.
• Do not use “Anonymous” or “n.d.”
• For alphabetizing, ignore A, An, The.

This matters because MLA wants the entry to reflect what is actually present in the source. Inventing an author or date weakens accuracy.

Titles and containers for National Geographic

Titles of sources

• Webpage or article title goes in quotation marks.
• Magazine article title also goes in quotation marks.

Title of container

• National Geographic (the magazine or the website) is usually italicized as the container: National Geographic.

If you accessed the article on the website, the container is typically National Geographic as a website container. If you used a database, the database may become a second container.

Dates, URLs, and access dates

Publication date

Use the date shown on the page or in the issue. MLA prefers the most specific date available, for example, day month year.

URL

For web content, include the URL. MLA 9 allows you to drop “https://” if your instructor permits, but including the full URL is usually fine. Do not underline it.

Access date

MLA 9 treats access dates as optional, but they are often helpful for web pages that can change. If your teacher wants them, add: Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Example 1, National Geographic web article (one author)

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

Smith, Jennifer Anne. “How Coral Reefs Are Changing Faster Than Expected.” National Geographic, 12 May 2023, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/coral-reefs-changing. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why it is formatted this way

• Author: “Smith, Jennifer Anne” follows your rule, full first name and inverted first author.
• Title of source: The article title is in quotation marks.
• Container: National Geographic is italicized because it is the larger site hosting the article.
• Date: A specific publication date helps readers locate the exact version.
• URL and access date: The URL provides direct location, and the access date supports transparency if the page changes.

In-text citation

(Smith)

If you quote a specific passage and the page has paragraph numbers, you can add them if they are stable. Most National Geographic web articles do not have stable paragraph numbering, so author only is common.

Example 2, National Geographic web article (two authors)

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

Garcia, Michael Thomas, and Priya Nair. “Inside the Hidden World of Deep Sea Creatures.” National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2022, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/deep-sea-creatures. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why it is formatted this way

• Two-author rule: First author inverted, second author normal order, joined by and.
• Full first names: “Michael Thomas” and “Priya” are not reduced to initials. This supports clarity and avoids confusion with similarly named authors.
• Everything else: Title in quotes, container italicized, date and URL included.

In-text citation

(Garcia and Nair)

This matches MLA’s goal, the in-text citation should clearly point to the Works Cited entry.

Example 3, National Geographic article with no author listed

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

“10 Tips for Photographing Wildlife Responsibly.” National Geographic, 18 Aug. 2021, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/wildlife-photography-tips. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why it is formatted this way

• No author: The entry starts with the title, since no author is credited.
• Title formatting: Quotation marks indicate a short work within a container.
• Alphabetizing: In your Works Cited list, alphabetize by “10,” not by “The” or “A,” and do not invent an author name.

In-text citation

(“10 Tips”)

MLA allows a shortened title in the in-text citation when there is no author. Keep it short but recognizable.

Why these rules matter in practice

They improve credibility

Using full first names and correct order signals careful scholarship. It also reduces ambiguity, especially when multiple writers share a last name.

They make your Works Cited easy to scan

Inverting the first author standardizes entries for alphabetical ordering. Readers expect to find “Smith” under S, not under J.

They help readers locate the exact source

National Geographic publishes many similarly titled pieces across topics and years. Dates, containers, and URLs help distinguish them.

Practical tips for citing National Geographic correctly

• Look for the author line carefully. On National Geographic pages, the author can appear near the top, near the date, or at the end.
• Use the page’s displayed publication date. Do not substitute your access date as the publication date.
• Copy the title exactly, including subtitles, but keep MLA capitalization rules, which generally means capitalizing major words.
• Use the container consistently. If you read it on the National Geographic website, National Geographic is the container. If you read it in a database, the database is often a second container.
• Keep punctuation precise. MLA relies on periods and commas to show where elements begin and end.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Using initials instead of full first names. Your rule requires full first names, so do not write “Smith, J.” Write “Smith, Jennifer.”
• Inverting the second author in a two-author work. Only the first author is inverted. The second is normal order.
• Listing all authors for three or more authors. Use the first author only, then et al.
• Inventing “Anonymous” or “n.d.” If there is no author, start with the title. If there is no date, omit the date.
• Forgetting quotation marks around article titles. Web articles and magazine articles are in quotation marks, not italics.
• Using the site name as the publisher automatically. In MLA, the container and publisher can be different. For many web articles, you may omit the publisher if it is the same as the container or if it is not clearly stated, depending on your instructor’s expectations.

Quick template you can reuse

Web article on National Geographic

Last, First Middle. “Title of Article.” National Geographic, Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

Two authors

Last, First Middle, and First Last. “Title of Article.” National Geographic, Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

Three or more authors

Last, First Middle, et al. “Title of Article.” National Geographic, Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

No author

“Title of Article.” National Geographic, Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

If you tell me which National Geographic source type you are using, for example a print magazine article, a database version, a video, or a photo page, I can format a model citation that matches it exactly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for National Geographic Citations

Validation Checklist

Special Cases

Overview, what makes National Geographic citations tricky

National Geographic is not one single “type” of source in MLA 9. It is a brand that publishes many formats, print magazine articles, website articles, photo essays, videos, podcasts, interactive graphics, and special issues. MLA works best when you identify the source type first, then build the citation from the core elements, author, title, container, other contributors, version, number, publisher, date, location.

Edge cases happen because National Geographic content often has:

• No clear personal author, or a corporate byline
• Many contributors, such as writer, photographer, editor, illustrator, narrator
• Multiple dates, such as original print date, online posting date, and later update date
• A print version and an online version with the same title but different containers
• URLs that are very long, or content behind paywalls, or content that moves

Your rules about author names also matter because National Geographic frequently lists multiple people. Consistent author formatting makes your Works Cited easier to scan and keeps attribution accurate.

Author edge cases, personal author, staff byline, corporate author, and no author

1) Personal author present, but the page emphasizes staff roles

National Geographic pages may show a writer plus a photographer, or several photographers. In MLA, the person who wrote the text is usually the author. Photographers and other creators can be added in “Other contributors” when relevant, especially for photo essays.

Practical tip: If the page labels someone as “By” and another as “Photographs by,” treat the “By” person as the author, and add the photographer after the title.

2) Corporate author versus no author

Sometimes the byline is “National Geographic” or “National Geographic Society.” In MLA, that can function as an author if the organization is clearly responsible for the content.

If there is no author at all, you must start with the title. Do not use “Anonymous,” and do not add “n.d.” for missing dates. Starting with the title helps readers find the item quickly and keeps your Works Cited alphabetized correctly.

Common pitfall: Treating “National Geographic” as a publisher when it is actually the author on that page. You can have National Geographic as author and also have National Geographic as the website container, but you should avoid repeating it unnecessarily if it becomes redundant. When in doubt, prioritize clarity over avoiding repetition.

3) Two authors and three or more authors

National Geographic sometimes lists two writers, or a long team. Your rules apply:

• Two authors, invert the first author only, use “and” before the second, and keep full first names.
• Three or more authors, list only the first author, inverted, then add “et al.”

Why this matters: It standardizes entries and prevents long author lists from overwhelming the citation, while still giving primary credit.

Date edge cases, original publication, update dates, and missing dates

1) Multiple dates on the page

National Geographic web pages may show “Published” and “Updated.” MLA usually prefers the publication date you are using for the version you consulted. If the page clearly shows an update that changes the content, you can use the updated date. If both are shown and you are not sure, use the date most closely tied to the version you read, and be consistent across your paper.

Practical tip: If you cite facts that could change, such as statistics, conservation status, or breaking news, the updated date is often more responsible.

2) Print month and year, plus online posting date

A magazine article may have a print issue date and also be posted online later. If you used the website version, cite the website version and its posting date. If you used the print magazine, cite the print issue details.

Common pitfall: Mixing print issue information with a website URL in one citation. Choose one version as your main source.

3) No date visible

If no date is available, MLA allows you to omit the date. Do not insert “n.d.” Instead, focus on the other core elements, and include the URL and access date if your instructor wants it. MLA 9 treats access dates as optional, but they are useful when content changes or moves.

Container edge cases, magazine versus website, and special issues

1) National Geographic as a magazine container

For print, the container is the magazine title in italics. You may also include volume and issue if available, but National Geographic is often cited by date instead of volume and issue. Include page numbers for print.

2) National Geographic as a website container

For online articles, the container is usually the website name, often “National Geographic.” The location is the URL. MLA 9 does not require “https://” if your style guide or instructor prefers a shortened URL, but keep it readable and accurate.

3) Special issues and branded sections

National Geographic has sections like “Animals,” “Environment,” or “History,” and it also publishes special issues. If the section functions like a website container or a series, it can appear after the site name as an additional container element, but do not force it in if it makes the citation confusing. The goal is that a reader can locate the item quickly.

Practical tip: If the page is clearly part of a series with a series title shown prominently, include that series title as a container or as “Version,” depending on how it is presented.

Contributor edge cases, photographers, editors, narrators, and maps

National Geographic content is often visual. MLA lets you credit key contributors when they are central to what you are using.

• If you are analyzing photographs, you may cite the photo itself, or cite the photo essay and list the photographer as an important contributor.
• If you are citing a video, the narrator, director, or producer may be more relevant than a writer.
• For interactive maps or graphics, the corporate author is often the best choice, or start with the title if no author is listed.

Common pitfall: Listing every contributor you see. Only include contributors that help identify the work and match your purpose.

Examples with explanations (National Geographic special cases)

Example 1, website article with one author and an update date

Works Cited entry

Smith, Jane Marie. “Why Honeybees Are Declining.” National Geographic, 14 May 2024, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/why-honeybees-are-declining.

Why this format is correct
- Author: Full first name is used, and the first author is inverted, “Smith, Jane Marie.”
- Title: In quotation marks because it is a web article, not a standalone book.
- Container: National Geographic is italicized as the website container.
- Date: Uses a clear publication date. If the page instead showed only “Updated 14 May 2024,” you could use that update date, especially if the content changes over time.
- Location: URL is included so readers can find the page.

Practical tip
If the page has both “Published” and “Updated,” and you choose the updated date, be consistent and use updated dates for other similar pages when relevant.

Example 2, two authors on a web feature, plus a key photographer

Works Cited entry

Lopez, Maria Elena and David Andrew Kim. “Inside the Caves That Hold Ancient Climate Clues.” National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2023, www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/inside-the-caves-that-hold-ancient-climate-clues. Photographs by Aisha Renée Patel.

Why this format is correct
- Two authors: First author is inverted with full first name, “Lopez, Maria Elena,” and the second author is not inverted, “David Andrew Kim,” joined by “and.”
- Title and container: Article title in quotes, site name in italics.
- Photographer credit: Added because National Geographic often foregrounds photography, and if you discuss images or visual evidence, naming the photographer improves attribution and helps a reader locate the same photo set.

Common pitfall
Do not invert the second author, and do not replace “and” with an ampersand.

Example 3, no author listed on the page, start with the title

Works Cited entry

“Giant Manta Ray.” National Geographic, 9 Aug. 2022, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/giant-manta-ray.

Why this format is correct
- No author: The citation begins with the title in quotation marks. This follows MLA guidance and your rule to avoid “Anonymous” or “n.d.”
- Container and date: The website name and date still help identify the page.
- Location: URL provides direct access.

Practical tip
For no author pages, double check that the author is not hidden near the top, bottom, or in a small byline area. National Geographic sometimes places contributor information below the headline or near the end of the page.

Why these rules matter in MLA 9

• Credibility and traceability: National Geographic content can be updated, moved, or republished. Clear containers, dates, and URLs make your source findable.
• Fair attribution: Full first names and correct author order reduce ambiguity, especially when multiple contributors are involved.
• Consistency in your Works Cited: Following the same author rules for one author, two authors, three or more authors, and no author entries makes your list easier to read and grade.

Practical checklist for National Geographic citations

• Identify your version first, print magazine, website article, video, or photo essay.
• Confirm whether a personal author exists. If not, start with the title.
• Apply your author rules exactly, full first names, invert the first author, use “and” for two authors, use “et al.” for three or more.
• Use the most relevant date for the version you consulted, and omit the date if none is provided.
• Include contributors like photographers only when they matter to your use of the source.
• Keep URLs readable and accurate, and consider adding an access date if the content is likely to change or if your instructor requires it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a National Geographic article in MLA 9?

Cite a National Geographic article like a magazine or website article, depending on where you accessed it. In MLA 9, start with the author, then the article title in quotation marks. Next give the container, National Geographic, in italics, followed by publication date. If you used the website, include the URL and an access date if your instructor wants it or if the content is likely to change. Example scenario, you read an online feature and need a Works Cited entry plus an in-text citation. Works Cited pattern: Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." National Geographic, Day Month Year, URL. In text, use (Last Name) or (Last Name page) if you have page numbers from a PDF. For more help with MLA article rules, see Purdue OWL: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_electronic_sources.html

How do I cite a National Geographic magazine article from a print issue?

For a print issue, treat it as a magazine article. List the author, the article title in quotation marks, the magazine title in italics, then the date and page range. Example scenario, you used a physical copy from your library and you need to show the exact pages you consulted. Works Cited pattern: Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." National Geographic, Day Month Year, pp. xx-xx. If the issue only gives month and year, use that, for example, National Geographic, Mar. 2024, pp. 34-49. Your in-text citation usually includes the author and page number, for example (Nguyen 41). If no author is listed, start the entry with the article title and shorten that title in the in-text citation. MLA magazine guidance is summarized here: https://style.mla.org/magazine-article-citation/

How do I cite a National Geographic video or documentary in MLA 9?

Citing National Geographic video depends on what you watched and where. For a web video on the National Geographic site or YouTube, start with the title of the video in quotation marks, then the website as the container, the publisher if different, the upload date, and the URL. Add the creator or director if it is important for your argument and is clearly credited. Example scenario, you quote a statistic from a short National Geographic YouTube clip. Works Cited pattern: "Video Title." YouTube, uploaded by National Geographic, Day Month Year, URL. In text, cite the title shortened, for example ("Oceans in Crisis"). If you refer to a specific moment, include a time stamp in your prose, for example at 2:13. For MLA video basics, see: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_other_common_sources.html

How do I cite a National Geographic photo or infographic I found online?

For a photo, infographic, or interactive graphic from National Geographic online, cite it as an image from a website. Start with the creator if known, then the title or a description in quotation marks. Add National Geographic as the website name in italics, the publication date if available, and the URL. Example scenario, you include a National Geographic photograph in a presentation and also mention it in a paper, you should cite it in your Works Cited and provide a caption credit. Works Cited pattern: Creator Last Name, First Name. "Title of Image" or "Description." National Geographic, Day Month Year, URL. If no title is given, use a brief description like "Polar bear on sea ice." If no date is listed, omit it. In text, use the creator name or a shortened title. For MLA image rules, see: https://style.mla.org/citing-images/

What if a National Geographic webpage has no author, no date, or keeps updating?

Missing information is common on National Geographic pages, especially topic hubs, interactives, and evergreen explainers. In MLA 9, if there is no author, begin with the page title. If there is no publication date, omit the date and consider adding an access date, especially if the page is updated or could change. Example scenario, you cite a climate explainer that shows no clear date but you need to document when you consulted it. Works Cited pattern: "Page Title." National Geographic, URL. Accessed Day Month Year. If the page shows a last updated date, use that date. If there is an organization author listed, you may use National Geographic as author, but avoid repeating it as the container, in that case you can omit the container or adjust based on your instructor’s preference. For MLA guidance on missing elements, see: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/

How do I cite National Geographic through a database like Gale, EBSCO, or ProQuest?

When you access National Geographic through a library database, MLA 9 treats the database as a second container. Cite the article details first, then add the database name in italics and a stable link or document URL, plus the access date if required by your instructor. Example scenario, you found a National Geographic article PDF in EBSCO, and you want to cite the page numbers from the PDF. Works Cited pattern: Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." National Geographic, Day Month Year, pp. xx-xx. Database Name, URL or DOI. Accessed Day Month Year. Use the PDF page numbers in your in-text citations if they match the article pagination, for example (Patel 12). If the database provides a permalink, prefer it over the browser address bar link. For MLA database container rules, see: https://style.mla.org/containers/

Last Updated: 2026-01-01
Reading Time: 10 minutes