How to Cite Wired in MLA 9 Format

What “Wired” means in MLA 9

A Wired citation in MLA 9 usually refers to citing something you read on Wired.com or in Wired magazine’s online archive. In MLA terms, Wired is typically the container, meaning the website or magazine that hosts the article. Your goal is to help readers find the exact piece you used, and to give clear credit to the writer.

MLA 9 citations are built from a set of common elements, in a consistent order. You do not need a special “Wired format,” you follow the MLA 9 format for a web article, using Wired as the container.

Core MLA 9 structure for a Wired article

Use this general Works Cited pattern for a Wired article:

Author. “Title of Article.” Wired, Publisher (optional), Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year (optional).

In MLA 9, you include as many of these elements as apply, and you keep the punctuation and formatting consistent.

The key elements, explained simply

1. Author

MLA starts with the author when one is provided.

Your rules for author names matter here:

• Use full first names, not initials.
• Invert only the first author: Last, First Middle.
• Two authors: first author inverted, second author normal order, joined with and.
• Three or more authors: list only the first author (inverted), then add et al.
• No author: begin with the title instead.

These rules matter because MLA Works Cited lists are alphabetized. Inverting the first author makes sorting consistent, and full first names reduce confusion when multiple writers share a last name.

2. Title of the article

Put the article title in quotation marks because it is a shorter work within a larger container.

Example formatting:
“Inside the Race to Build Better Batteries”

3. Container (Wired)

The container is the larger source that holds the article.

Format: Wired (italicized)

4. Date

Use the date Wired provides, usually near the top of the article.

MLA format: Day Month Year
Example: 15 Mar. 2024

If Wired only shows month and year, use what you have. Do not invent a day.

5. URL

Include the direct URL to the article. MLA 9 allows you to drop “https://” but it is also acceptable to include it. The most important thing is consistency.

6. Access date (often optional)

MLA 9 treats access dates as optional, but they are helpful when:
- the page changes over time,
- there is no clear publication date,
- you are citing a page that updates frequently.

Format: Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Example 1, One author Wired.com article (with explanation)

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

Hernandez, Angela Marie. “How Quantum Sensors Could Change Medical Imaging.” Wired, 18 Apr. 2023, www.wired.com/story/quantum-sensors-medical-imaging/.

Why this is correct

• Author: The first author is inverted, and the first name is written in full, “Hernandez, Angela Marie.”
• Title: The article title is in quotation marks.
• Container: Wired is italicized.
• Date: Written as 18 Apr. 2023, which matches MLA’s day month year style.
• URL: Included at the end, without extra words like “Retrieved from.”

Practical tips

• Copy the title carefully, including capitalization. MLA uses title case for English titles in the Works Cited list.
• Use the article’s published date, not the date you found it in search results.

Common pitfalls

• Using initials, like “A. Hernandez,” instead of the full first name.
• Forgetting italics on Wired.
• Putting the URL in angle brackets, MLA 9 does not require that.

Example 2, Two authors (with your required name rule)

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

Patel, Rina and Marcus Lee. “The Hidden Costs of Always On AI.” Wired, 7 Sept. 2024, www.wired.com/story/hidden-costs-always-on-ai/.

Why this is correct

• First author inverted: Patel, Rina.
• Second author not inverted: Marcus Lee.
• Joined by “and”: MLA prefers “and,” not an ampersand.
• The rest follows the same logic as any Wired web article.

Practical tips

• Make sure the second author is written in normal order. A frequent error is inverting both names.
• Keep punctuation consistent, MLA uses commas between major elements and ends with a period.

Common pitfalls

• Writing “Patel, Rina, and Lee, Marcus.” This is not correct for MLA under your rules.
• Writing “Patel & Lee.” This is not MLA style.

Example 3, Three or more authors, or a long author list

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

Nguyen, Daniel Minh, et al. “Why Satellite Internet Is Entering a New Era.” Wired, 12 Jan. 2025, www.wired.com/story/satellite-internet-new-era/.

Why this is correct

• MLA shortens long author lists to keep citations readable.
• Under your rule, for three or more authors you list only the first author (inverted, full first name) and then use et al.
• You do not list additional authors before “et al.”

Practical tips

• “Et al.” has a period after “al.” because it is an abbreviation.
• Keep “et al.” in regular font, not italic.

Common pitfalls

• Listing two or three authors and then adding “et al.” anyway.
• Italicizing “et al.” or treating it like part of the title.

What if there is no author listed on Wired?

If a Wired page does not show an author, start with the title.

General pattern:

“Title of Article.” Wired, Day Month Year, URL.

MLA does not use “Anonymous,” and you should not invent an author. Starting with the title is both honest and useful for readers.

Why these rules matter in MLA 9

They support easy verification

A Works Cited entry is a map. If you follow consistent rules, your reader can quickly locate the source and confirm what you used.

They improve fairness and clarity in attribution

Using full first names, when available, helps distinguish authors and respects identity. Inverting only the first author makes the alphabetized list predictable and readable.

They keep your Works Cited list consistent

MLA is designed for consistency across many source types. Wired articles look like other web articles in MLA, which helps your paper feel organized and professional.

Quick checklist for Wired citations (MLA 9)

• Author uses full first name, not initials.
• First author is Last, First Middle.
• Two authors use and, second author not inverted.
• Three or more authors use et al. after the first author only.
• No author, start with the title.
• Article title in “quotation marks.”
• Wired italicized.
• Date in Day Month Year format.
• URL included.
• Access date used when helpful, especially for changing pages.

If you share a specific Wired URL, I can format the exact MLA 9 Works Cited entry using your author name rules, and I can also provide the matching in-text citation.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for Wired Citations

Validation Checklist

Special Cases

Special and edge cases when citing Wired in MLA 9

Citing Wired looks simple at first, but real articles often include unusual bylines, changing URLs, paywalls, and content that is updated after publication. MLA 9 is designed to handle these situations consistently. The goal is clarity, so a reader can find the exact item you used, and fairness, so the creator receives proper credit.

Below are the most common special cases you will run into with Wired, along with practical tips and common pitfalls.

Core pattern for a Wired web article

Most Wired items you will cite are web pages. A typical Works Cited entry follows this pattern:

Author. "Title of Article." Wired, Day Month Year, URL.

Notes:
- Article title is in quotation marks.
- Wired is italicized.
- Date is Day Month Year (example: 7 Oct. 2024).
- Use the direct URL. MLA 9 prefers stable, specific links when available.

Author name edge cases

One author, full first name required

Your rules require full first names, not initials. That matters because it reduces ambiguity, especially when authors share last names or publish under similar bylines.

Pitfall: Copying a shortened byline (like “J. Smith”) from a site or database.
Tip: If Wired shows the full name on the page, use it. If the page only shows initials, check the author profile page on Wired and use the full name if it is clearly the same person.

Two authors, second name not inverted

MLA uses inversion only for the first author so the entry alphabetizes correctly. Your rules also require “and” between two authors.

Format:
- Last, First Middle, and First Last.

Pitfall: Inverting both authors, or using an ampersand.
Tip: Keep the second author in normal order.

Three or more authors, use “et al.”

For long author lists, MLA simplifies. Your rules require only the first author, then “et al.” Do not list the second and third authors before “et al.”

Format:
- Last, First Middle, et al.

Pitfall: Listing all authors, or listing two then “et al.”
Tip: Use exactly one author name, then “et al.” when there are three or more.

No author listed

Sometimes Wired content, especially staff pages, interactive features, or announcements, may not list an author. In that case, start with the title.

Format:
- "Title of Page." Wired, Day Month Year, URL.

Pitfall: Writing “Anonymous” or “n.d.”
Tip: If no author is shown, do not invent one. Start with the title, and include the date if present.

Corporate or group authors

Occasionally, content may be credited to a group such as “Wired Staff” or a named project team. MLA allows the group name as the author.

Format:
- Wired Staff. "Title." Wired, Day Month Year, URL.

Pitfall: Treating a group author as “no author.”
Tip: If a group name is clearly presented as the creator, use it as the author.

Date and update edge cases

“Published” vs “updated” dates

Wired articles are sometimes updated after publication. MLA 9 generally uses the date that best identifies the version you consulted. If the page clearly lists an update date and your reading depends on updated information, use the update date.

Practical approach:
- If the page shows only one date, use it.
- If it shows “Updated” and that matters, cite the updated date.
- If both appear and you want extra clarity, you can include the date shown on the page that corresponds to the version you used. MLA does not require you to label it “updated” in the citation, but you should be consistent.

Pitfall: Guessing dates or using the date you accessed as a substitute for publication date.
Tip: Access dates are optional in MLA 9 and are best used when content is likely to change, or when no date is provided.

No date provided

Some pages do not show a clear publication date. MLA 9 lets you omit the date rather than inserting “n.d.”

Format:
- Author. "Title." Wired, URL.

Pitfall: Adding “n.d.”
Tip: Leave the date out if it is not available.

URL, paywall, and database edge cases

Long URLs, tracking, and “amp” pages

Wired links may include tracking parameters or mobile versions. MLA wants a usable URL, not a cluttered one.

Tip: Remove obvious tracking pieces (often starting with ? and including things like utm_source). Keep the core page URL that still works.

Pitfall: Copying a “share” link that redirects through a tracking service.
Tip: Prefer the canonical URL shown in the browser address bar after the page fully loads.

Citing Wired through a library database

If you accessed the article through a database (for example, ProQuest or EBSCO), you may have a database permalink rather than the Wired URL. MLA allows citing the database version. The container becomes the database, not Wired alone.

However, many Wired magazine pieces exist both as a web page and as a magazine issue PDF or database text. Choose the version you actually used.

Pitfall: Mixing elements from the website and the database, for example using the Wired URL but the database’s publication details.
Tip: Decide which version you consulted, then build the citation around that container.

Titles and content type edge cases

Series labels, section headers, and subtitles

Wired sometimes displays a label like “Security” or “Gear” above the title. That label is usually a section, not part of the title. Use the article’s actual headline as the title.

Pitfall: Including the section name as if it were part of the title.
Tip: Use the exact headline text, including a subtitle if it is part of the headline.

Non article pages, videos, and interactive features

If the content is not a standard article, you still follow MLA’s core idea, identify the main creator (if any), the title of the page or feature, the site name Wired, the date, and the URL. If it is a video hosted on Wired or embedded from another platform, you may need to cite the original host as the container instead.

Pitfall: Citing a YouTube video as if it were a Wired article just because it is embedded on Wired.
Tip: Cite the source that actually hosts the video, unless Wired is clearly the publisher and host.

Examples with explanations

Example 1, two authors, standard Wired web article

Works Cited entry

Thompson, Clive, and Lauren Goode. "How AI Assistants Are Changing Everyday Work." Wired, 12 Sept. 2024, https://www.wired.com/story/how-ai-assistants-are-changing-everyday-work/.

Why this is correct
- The first author is inverted, “Thompson, Clive.”
- The second author is not inverted and is joined with “and,” “Lauren Goode.”
- The article title is in quotation marks.
- Wired is the container and is italicized.
- The date uses MLA’s Day Month Year format.
- The URL is a direct link to the article.

Common pitfall to avoid
- Writing “Goode, Lauren” for the second author. Only the first author is inverted.

Example 2, three or more authors, use “et al.”

Works Cited entry

Patel, Nitasha Tiku, et al. "Inside the Race to Regulate Artificial Intelligence." Wired, 3 May 2025, https://www.wired.com/story/inside-the-race-to-regulate-artificial-intelligence/.

Why this is correct
- There are three or more authors, so only the first author is listed.
- The first author is inverted and uses a full first name.
- “et al.” replaces the remaining authors, which keeps the entry readable and consistent.

Common pitfall to avoid
- Listing two authors and then “et al.” Your rule is first author only, then “et al.”

Example 3, no author, start with the title

Works Cited entry

"The Best Laptops for Students in 2025." Wired, 8 Aug. 2025, https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-laptops-for-students/.

Why this is correct
- No author is credited, so the citation begins with the title.
- The title is in quotation marks because it is a page within a website.
- Wired remains the container.
- The date and URL help readers find the exact page.

Common pitfall to avoid
- Adding “Anonymous” or “n.d.” MLA 9 does not require either, and your rules prohibit them.

Why these rules matter

• Alphabetizing and consistency: Inverting only the first author makes Works Cited lists easy to scan and sort.
• Accurate credit: Full first names reduce confusion and better represent the author’s identity.
• Retrievability: Clean URLs and correct containers help readers locate the same source, even when content is syndicated or republished.
• Transparency: Handling updates and missing information honestly builds credibility. It shows you are not guessing.

Practical tips and quick checklist

• Confirm the byline and use full first names when available.
• Invert only the first author, never the second in a two author entry.
• Use “et al.” after the first author for three or more authors.
• If there is no author, start with the title, do not use “Anonymous.”
• Prefer the clean, direct Wired URL without tracking parameters.
• Use the date shown on the page, omit the date if none is given.
• Add an access date only when the page is likely to change or lacks a date.

If you want, paste a specific Wired link and tell me whether you read it on the Wired site or through a database, and I will format the exact MLA 9 Works Cited entry using your author rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a Wired article in MLA 9 for my Works Cited page?

For a standard Wired web article, use this MLA 9 structure, Author Last, First. "Title of Article." Wired, Publisher (often Condé Nast), Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year (optional but recommended if the page changes). Example scenario, you used a Wired piece about AI policy for a research paper. Your entry might look like, Smith, Jane. "Inside the New AI Rules." Wired, 12 Oct. 2024, https://www.wired.com/story/example/. If no author is listed, start with the article title. If no date is shown, omit it and consider adding an access date. Do not include "https://" only if your instructor prefers shortened URLs, otherwise keep the full URL. For more guidance, see the MLA Works Cited basics, https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/.

How do I do an in-text citation for a Wired article if there are no page numbers?

Most Wired articles are read online and do not have stable page numbers, so MLA 9 typically uses the author name in parentheses, not a page number. Example scenario, you quote a sentence from a Wired article by Aarian Marshall. Your in-text citation would be (Marshall). If you mention the author in your sentence, you can omit the parenthetical name, Marshall argues that the policy will reshape procurement. If there is no author, use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks, for example ("Inside the New AI Rules"). Avoid using paragraph numbers unless your instructor specifically requests them, MLA does not require them. If you cite multiple Wired sources with the same author, add a shortened title to distinguish them, (Marshall, "Title"). More on MLA in-text citations, https://style.mla.org/in-text-citations-the-basics/.

How do I cite a Wired article with no author or an organization name?

If a Wired page has no listed author, MLA 9 tells you to begin the Works Cited entry with the article title in quotation marks. Then list Wired as the container, followed by the date and URL. Example scenario, you are citing a short news update or a staff post where no byline appears. Your entry might start, "Title of Article." Wired, 5 May 2025, https://www.wired.com/story/example/. If the author is an organization, which is less common for Wired, you can use the organization as the author, but only if it is clearly credited as the creator. In text, cite the shortened title if there is no author, for example ("Title of Article"). MLA guidance on unknown authors, https://style.mla.org/citing-works-with-unknown-authors/.

How do I cite a Wired podcast episode in MLA 9?

To cite a Wired podcast episode, treat the episode as the source and the podcast series as the container. A common MLA 9 format is, "Episode Title." Podcast Name, hosted by Host Name, produced by Wired, Day Month Year, URL. If there is a credited narrator or guest you are emphasizing, you can include them after the title with a descriptor. Example scenario, you reference a Wired podcast episode about cybersecurity trends, and you quote a guest. Your Works Cited entry should still focus on the episode, while your in-text citation usually uses the episode title in quotation marks if no single author is clear. If the platform is Spotify or Apple Podcasts, you can include the platform as the container if it helps readers locate it, but the URL is often enough. MLA audio guidance, https://style.mla.org/citing-audio/.

How do I cite a Wired video or YouTube clip in MLA 9?

If the Wired video is on YouTube, cite it as a YouTube video with Wired as the account name. MLA 9 format, "Video Title." YouTube, uploaded by Wired, Day Month Year, URL. Example scenario, you use a Wired "Autocomplete Interview" video in a media studies essay. Your Works Cited entry should include the exact video title, the site, the uploader, the date, and the link. In text, cite the first element, usually a shortened title in quotation marks, for example ("Video Title"). If the video is hosted directly on Wired.com, treat it like a web page and include any credited director or producer if listed, then Wired, date, and URL. More on citing online videos, https://style.mla.org/citing-videos/.

Should I include an access date when citing Wired, and what if the article gets updated?

MLA 9 makes access dates optional, but they are useful for web sources that can change, which includes many Wired pages. Include an access date if you expect updates, if the page has no publication date, or if your instructor requires it. Example scenario, you cite a Wired "live" page tracking an unfolding tech lawsuit, and the content changes after you submit your paper. Add an access date at the end, Accessed 15 Nov. 2025. If Wired lists both a publication date and an updated date, cite the date that best matches what you used. If the page clearly labels an updated date, you can use it as the date in your entry. If you are worried about link rot, consider saving a PDF or using a permalink, but still cite the original URL. MLA web citation overview, https://style.mla.org/citing-web-pages/.

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