Learning how to cite multiple authors is one of the trickiest parts of any reference list, because the rules change with the number of authors, with the citation style, and even with the edition of that style. This guide shows you the exact format for two authors and for three or more authors in both APA 7th edition and MLA 9th edition, with correct examples you can copy and adapt.
Why citing multiple authors causes confusion
Most style errors with shared authorship come from three habits: mixing up the ampersand (&) with the word “and,” using “et al.” too early or too late, and listing names in a different order than the source itself. APA and MLA handle the ampersand and the “et al.” cut-offs differently, so a citation that looks right in one style is often wrong in the other.
Two rules stay constant in both styles. First, list authors in the order they appear on the source, not alphabetically by name. Second, the reference-list (or works-cited) entry and the in-text citation are governed by separate rules, so check both. If you would rather not memorize the cut-offs, our free citation generator applies them automatically, but it helps to understand the logic.
How to cite multiple authors in APA (7th edition)
APA uses an author-date system. In the reference list it inverts every name to “Last, F. M.” format, separates names with commas, and places an ampersand before the final author. In the text it uses “and” inside narrative sentences and “&” inside parentheses.
Two authors in APA
For two authors, name both every single time you cite the work, in the text and in the reference list. There is no shortening.
Smith, J. A., & Jones, R. B. (2021). Understanding shared authorship. Academic Press.
In-text (parenthetical): (Smith & Jones, 2021). Narrative: Smith and Jones (2021) argued that…
Three or more authors in APA
This is the rule that changed in the 7th edition. In the reference list, list up to and including 20 authors, separated by commas, with an ampersand before the last name. In the text, however, you cite only the first author followed by “et al.” from the very first mention. You no longer spell out all the names on the first appearance.
Smith, J. A., Jones, R. B., & Lee, C. D. (2020). Research methods for collaborative projects. University Press.
In-text (parenthetical): (Smith et al., 2020). Narrative: Smith et al. (2020) reported that…
Note that “et al.” is not italicized, takes a period only after “al,” and is treated as plural (“Smith et al. report,” not “reports”).
21 or more authors in APA
When a source has 21 or more authors, list the first 19 names in the reference entry, insert an ellipsis (three spaced dots, with no ampersand), and then add the final author’s name. Only the last author goes after the ellipsis.
Smith, J. A., Jones, R. B., Lee, C. D., [list names 4 through 19], . . . Brown, T. K. (2019). A large multi-author study. Science Publishing.
In-text: (Smith et al., 2019).
How to cite multiple authors in MLA (9th edition)
MLA uses an author-page system and never includes the year in the in-text citation. In the works-cited list it inverts only the first author’s name and writes the rest in normal order. MLA always uses the word “and,” never an ampersand.
Two authors in MLA
List both authors. Invert the first author’s name (Last, First), then add “and” followed by the second author in normal order (First Last). In the text, name both authors with no comma between them.
Smith, Jane A., and Robert B. Jones. Understanding Shared Authorship. Academic Press, 2021.
In-text: (Smith and Jones 45).
Three or more authors in MLA
For three or more authors, MLA lists only the first author (inverted) followed by a comma and “et al.” This applies in both the works-cited entry and the in-text citation. Unlike APA, MLA does not list up to 20 names: the cut-off is three.
Smith, Jane A., et al. Research Methods for Collaborative Projects. University Press, 2020.
In-text: (Smith et al. 112).
In MLA, “et al.” follows a comma after the first author’s full inverted name. Note that there is no comma between the author and the page number in the parenthetical citation.
APA vs MLA: a side-by-side summary
The fastest way to keep the two styles straight is to compare them directly:
- Two authors: Both styles name both authors every time. APA uses “&” in parentheses; MLA uses “and” everywhere.
- Three or more authors, in-text: Both styles use “first author et al.” APA writes “(Smith et al., 2020)” with a comma before the year; MLA writes “(Smith et al. 112)” with no comma and a page number.
- Three or more authors, reference list: APA lists up to 20 names; MLA shortens to “first author, et al.” at three.
- Joining word: APA uses “&” (parentheses) and “and” (narrative). MLA always uses “and.”
- Date: APA includes the year in-text. MLA includes a page number, not a year.
If you cite across several styles in different classes, our APA vs MLA comparison walks through more differences, and the in-text citations guide covers narrative versus parenthetical forms in depth.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using “et al.” too early in APA. Some students still spell out all names on the first mention, which was the 6th edition rule. In the 7th edition, three or more authors take “et al.” from the start in the text.
- Alphabetizing co-authors. Keep authors in the order printed on the source. Alphabetizing applies only to the order of entries in the list, sorted by the first author’s surname.
- Mixing “&” and “and.” In APA, “and” appears in narrative sentences and “&” inside parentheses and the reference list. MLA never uses “&.”
- Putting a period after “et.” Only “al.” takes a period, because “al.” is the abbreviation. Write “et al.”, never “et. al.”
- Adding a comma before “et al.” in APA in-text. APA writes “(Smith et al., 2020)” with the comma before the year, not before “et al.”
Where this applies across source types
The multiple-author rules are the same whether you cite a book, an article, or a web page. Only the rest of the entry changes. For step-by-step formats by source type, see how to cite a book, how to cite a journal article, and how to cite a website. For a broader refresher on either style, the APA format guide and the MLA format guide cover formatting, headings, and reference order.
If your assignment uses a different style, the same logic carries over with new punctuation. You can generate correct entries for any number of authors with the MLA citation generator or the APA citation generator and check the output against the examples above.
Frequently asked questions
When do I use “et al.” in APA 7th edition?
In APA 7th edition, use “et al.” in the text for any source with three or more authors, starting from the very first citation. In the reference list, you do not use “et al.” until a source has 21 or more authors; for up to 20 authors you list every name.
How is MLA different from APA for three or more authors?
MLA shortens to “first author, et al.” in both the works-cited entry and the in-text citation once a source has three or more authors. APA shortens to “et al.” only in the text and still lists up to 20 names in the reference list. APA also uses an ampersand and a year, while MLA uses “and” and a page number.
Do I use “and” or “&” between authors?
It depends on the style and the location. APA uses an ampersand (&) before the last author in the reference list and in parenthetical in-text citations, but uses the word “and” in narrative sentences. MLA always uses the word “and” and never uses an ampersand.
Should I list authors alphabetically?
No. Within a single citation, list authors in the exact order they appear on the source. Alphabetical order applies only to arranging different entries in your reference list or works-cited list, where you sort by the first author’s last name.