LaTeX error · Environments, lists and tables

LaTeX Error: Something's wrong--perhaps a missing \item.

The error in the log

This is how the message appears in the .log file (and in the compile output). The line starting with l. is the line number where TeX noticed the problem; the real mistake is there or just before it.

! LaTeX Error: Something's wrong--perhaps a missing \item.

See the LaTeX manual or LaTeX Companion for explanation.
Type  H <return>  for immediate help.
 ...

l.5   \item S
             econd point

Why it happens

• Text placed right after \begin{itemize} or \begin{enumerate} without an \item in front of it.
• An empty thebibliography environment, which BibTeX writes when no \cite matched a .bib entry. The error then points at the .bbl file.
• A \\ or \newline used where no line has started, for example right at the beginning of a list item or of a table cell in a p column.
• Other environments built on lists, such as quote or center, used with a line break before any text.

How to fix it

Put \item before the first piece of text in the list. If the text is meant as a heading for the list, move it above \begin{itemize}.

For a bibliography error, cite at least one entry and check that BibTeX or Biber ran without errors; deleting the stale .bbl and recompiling also helps.

Broken: reproduces the error

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
\begin{itemize}
  First point
  \item Second point
\end{itemize}
\end{document}

Fixed: compiles cleanly

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
\begin{itemize}
  \item First point
  \item Second point
\end{itemize}
\end{document}

Related errors

• Lonely \item – An \item outside itemize, enumerate or description.
• \begin{x} ended by \end{y} – An \end does not match the most recent open \begin: a typo or an environment left open.
• There's no line here to end – A \\ or \newline where no line of text has started.
• All LaTeX errors and warnings – The full list, grouped by cause

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my bibliography give "perhaps a missing \item"?

The .bbl file contains an empty thebibliography environment, usually because nothing was cited or BibTeX found no matching keys. Add a \cite, check the keys and the .bib path, delete the .bbl and compile again.

Can \\ cause "perhaps a missing \item"?

Yes. Inside a list, a \\ before any text has started tries to end a line in a list that has no item yet. Remove the \\ or use \vspace for space.

Is this the same as "Lonely \item"?

No, it is the opposite case. "Perhaps a missing \item" is a list without an item where text needs one; "Lonely \item" is an \item used outside any list.