\usepackage{amssymb}
Complete reference for every symbol you need — Greek letters, operators, relations, arrows, sets, calculus, and more. Click any command to copy it instantly.
minimal working example
Every LaTeX math document starts with the same two packages. Add them to your preamble and you unlock virtually the entire symbol set shown on this page.
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\begin{document}
% Inline math
The quadratic formula is $x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$.
% Display math
\begin{equation}
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2} \, dx = \sqrt{\pi}
\end{equation}
\end{document}click any command to copy
Browse all 200+ symbols by category. The command shown is what you type inside a math environment — wrap it in $...$ for inline or \begin{equation} for display mode.
LaTeX has four primary ways to enter math mode. Each suits a different layout need — inline prose, standalone display, numbered equations, or multi-line alignment.
$...$Embed math within a sentence. Numbers and variables flow with the text.
The area is $A = \pi r^2$ where $r$ is the radius.
$$...$$Center a standalone equation on its own line. No automatic numbering.
$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{6}$$\begin{equation}Numbered display equation. Reference it with \label and \eqref.
\begin{equation}
E = mc^2
\label{eq:einstein}
\end{equation}\begin{align}Align multiple equations on a column marker (&). Requires amsmath.
\begin{align}
f(x) &= x^2 + 2x + 1 \\
&= (x+1)^2
\end{align}Add these three lines to your preamble and you will have access to virtually every symbol on this page.
\usepackage{amsmath}The standard math extension. Provides align, gather, multline, equation*, split environments and dozens of math commands.
\usepackage{amssymb}Adds hundreds of extra symbols including \mathbb{} number sets (ℝ, ℂ, ℕ), \nexists, and many more.
\usepackage{mathtools}Extends amsmath with \coloneqq, matrix column alignment, \prescript, and fixes for common amsmath quirks.
Three errors that trip up every LaTeX beginner — and how to fix them.
Wrong
The value of \alpha is small.
Right
The value of $\alpha$ is small.
All math commands must be inside $...$ or a math environment.
Wrong
\begin{align} ... \end{align} % Error: undefinedRight
\usepackage{amsmath} % in preamble
\begin{align} ... \end{align}Advanced environments and many symbols require amsmath in the preamble.
Wrong
$x = 5 if x > 0$ % 'if' is italicised
Right
$x = 5 \text{ if } x > 0$ % correctWrap plain words inside math mode with \text{} (requires amsmath).
\begin{document}
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