LaTeX math symbols cheat sheet: commands, examples and packages

To write a mathematical symbol in LaTeX, place its command in math mode: \(\alpha\) gives an inline alpha, while \[\alpha\] displays it on a separate line. The tables below collect 49 examples, grouped by use, with the package needed for each one.

The preview column uses browser characters for lookup. Their shapes depend on your screen font; the illustrations compare glyph variants and limit placement. Check your compiled PDF for the exact forms in your project's font. Copy the command column into your source.

Set up the example

These examples use the article class and pdfLaTeX. “Built in” means no additional package is required for that entry in standard LaTeX. Load these packages in the preamble for the complete example:

1\usepackage{amsmath,amssymb}

amsmath provides commands used here such as \text, \lvert and \lVert. amssymb supplies extra symbols and loads amsfonts, which provides \mathbb. If your template already loads them, keep its existing setup. A template using unicode-math needs its own font and package configuration checked before changes.

For an introduction to math mode, see math environments and symbols. This page is a lookup sheet for use while writing.

Greek letters

Commands are case-sensitive: \gamma and \Gamma produce different letters. For uppercase Greek letters that share a Latin form, such as alpha, use A rather than assuming a command such as \Alpha exists in standard LaTeX.

\epsilon and \varepsilon, as well as \phi and \varphi, select different glyphs. Choose a form for a quantity and use it consistently throughout the paper.

The four glyphs use the default mathematics font. Labels identify the corresponding commands.

1\[\epsilon\quad\varepsilon\qquad\phi\quad\varphi\]

Comparisons, relations and arithmetic

Use \times for a multiplication cross. The letter x represents a variable. \approx expresses an approximate relation; \equiv is used for equivalence or identity according to the mathematical context.

Sets and logic

In this setup, \emptyset is built in and \varnothing requires amssymb; both denote the empty set with different glyphs. \mathbb{R} and \mathbb{Z} also work with amsfonts alone. Loading amssymb covers all three entries in this table.

Use \subseteq when equality is allowed. The interpretation of \subset varies between authors; define your notation or choose \subsetneq from amssymb when you need an explicitly proper subset.

Arrows

The single arrow \to is common in mappings and limits. The double arrow \Rightarrow denotes implication in many contexts. \mapsto describes where an element is sent, as in \(x\mapsto x^2\).

Operators, calculus and roots

Add limits with subscripts and superscripts: \sum_{i=1}^{n}a_i. Braces group more than one character, so the entire expression i=1 belongs to the subscript. For fractions and matrices, continue with the fractions, brackets and matrices guide.

Absolute values, norms, brackets and degrees

The angle-bracket example is often used for an inner product, depending on your notation. The degree sign in 30^{\circ} uses the built-in circle as a superscript. For a tall expression, \left\lvert ... \right\rvert adjusts the delimiter size; a fraction is one case where this can help. Keep both sides of the pair in the same mathematical group.

Why sum limits move between inline and display math

With the standard setup used here, an inline sum places limits at the side; display math normally places them above and below. The source expression is the same in both cases:

1Inline: \(\sum_{i=1}^{n}a_i\).2\[3  \sum_{i=1}^{n}a_i4\]

The same sum illustrates side limits and limits above and below the operator.

Integrals normally retain side limits even in display math. Commands such as \limits and \nolimits change placement when used with suitable operators. Use the default unless the layout or notation calls for an adjustment. For multiple lines, see multiline equations and alignment.

A complete document to compile

The example defines f(x,y)=x^2+y^2 before showing its partial derivative. Other lines demonstrate notation for sets, absolute values, a vector norm and calculus.

1\documentclass{article}2\usepackage{amsmath,amssymb}3\begin{document}4Let \(x,y\in\mathbb{R}\), \(f(x,y)=x^2+y^2\), and \(\epsilon>0\).5\[6  A\subseteq B \quad\Longrightarrow\quad A\cap B=A.7\]8\[9  \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}=2x,10  \qquad \lvert -3\rvert=3,11  \qquad \lVert v\rVert.12\]13\[14  \sum_{i=1}^{n} a_i,15  \qquad \int_{0}^{1}x\,\mathrm{d}x=\frac{1}{2}.16\]17\[18  \epsilon\quad\varepsilon\qquad\phi\quad\varphi19\]20\[21  30^{\circ},\qquad22  x>0\quad\text{for all }x\in(0,\infty).23\]24\end{document}

The symbol groups, this document and the comparison fragments were compiled with pdfLaTeX on TeXLive.net on November 10, 2026, using LaTeX2e <2026-11-01>. The illustrations were redesigned from the verified examples to show the symbol forms and limit placement. This checks the supplied examples; the package versions in your project may differ.

In EasyLaTeX, choose the main file and pdfLaTeX, compile, then inspect the PDF. The first-document guide covers these steps.

If a symbol does not compile

• Missing $ inserted: check that a math command sits inside a complete \(...\), \[...\] or equation environment.
• Undefined control sequence: compare the spelling and case, then check the package column. \mathbb needs amsfonts or amssymb in this setup.
• A broken subscript: write a_{ij} to put both letters below the baseline. a_ij puts only i in the subscript.
• Different-looking output: inspect the mathematics font and the selected variant command. A browser's Unicode preview and a TeX glyph can have different designs.

For wider compilation problems, use the compilation troubleshooting guide. Preserve your template's mathematics setup while investigating the first reported error.

References

• LaTeX Project: amsmath user's guide
• CTAN: AMS fonts, amsfonts and amssymb
• TeXLive.net compilation service