LaTeX Symbols: The Complete List (Math, Greek, Arrows, Sets, Logic)

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}   % \implies, \iint, \text, \xrightarrow
\usepackage{amssymb}   % \mathbb, \therefore, \varnothing, \nexists

\begin{document}
Inline: $x \approx 3.14$, $\alpha \leq \beta$, $A \subseteq B$.

Displayed:
\[
  \forall \varepsilon > 0 \; \exists \delta > 0 :
  |x - a| < \delta \implies |f(x) - f(a)| < \varepsilon
\]

Text mode: 50\% off, R\&D, item \#3, a\_b.
\end{document}

LaTeX has a command for every symbol you are likely to need, from ± and ≈ to ∀, ⇒ and ∑. This page is the complete list of the common ones, grouped the way you look for them: math operators, Greek symbols, relations, logic and sets, arrows, brackets, special characters in text and the big operators. Each table gives the symbol, the command, the package (if any) and what it usually means; click a symbol to open its own page with variants and copy-ready code. Every snippet compiles as shown.

Math Mode vs Text Mode

LaTeX typesets text and math differently, and most symbol commands exist in only one of the two. Math symbols (\pm, \leq, \alpha, \rightarrow) must be inside $...$, \( ... \), \[ ... \] or an equation/align environment. Text symbols (\textbackslash, \textasciitilde, \textdegree) belong in ordinary paragraphs. A few, such as \$, \%, \# and \&, work in both. Using a math command in text is the cause of the “Missing $ inserted” error; see mathematical expressions for the basics of math mode.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\begin{document}
In text: 25\textdegree{}C, \S 2.1, \copyright{} 2026, 10\% and \$5.

In math: $25^\circ$, $a \pm b$, $x \in \mathbb{R}$, $f \colon A \to B$.
\end{document}

Math Symbols in LaTeX

The arithmetic operators and the most used calculus symbols are built in; none of them needs a package. Use \cdot rather than * for multiplication and \times for the cross product or dimensions (3 × 4). All math symbols are listed in the math symbols reference, with more binary operators under operators.

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
\[
  x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}, \qquad
  \nabla f = \left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x},
                    \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} \right), \qquad
  (f \circ g)(x), \quad 3 \times 4 \div 2 \cdot 5
\]
\end{document}

Greek Symbols in Math

Greek symbols in math are written with the letter's English name: \alpha, \beta, \pi. A capitalised name gives the uppercase letter (\Delta, \Omega), but only where it looks different from a Latin letter; capital alpha is just A. The \var... commands are alternative shapes, and \varkappa is the only one that needs amssymb. All 24 letters are below; see the Greek letter symbols reference, the Greek alphabet page and Greek letters in LaTeX for bold and upright Greek.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\begin{document}
$\alpha, \beta, \gamma, \Gamma, \delta, \Delta, \epsilon, \varepsilon,
 \theta, \vartheta, \kappa, \varkappa, \lambda, \Lambda, \mu, \pi, \Pi,
 \sigma, \Sigma, \phi, \varphi, \Phi, \psi, \omega, \Omega$

\[
  \Delta E = \hbar \omega, \qquad
  \sigma^2 = \frac{1}{N} \sum_{i=1}^{N} (x_i - \mu)^2
\]
\end{document}

Relation Symbols

Relations compare two expressions, and LaTeX spaces them more widely than operators. Spaces you type in math are ignored, so a\leq b and a \leq b look the same. The LaTeX approximately symbol is \approx (≈); it is also what people mean by the “about” symbol, and the approximately equal guide compares it with \sim, \simeq and \cong. Negate any relation with \not (\not\approx) or use a dedicated command such as \neq. More in the relation symbols reference.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{mathtools}
\begin{document}
$\pi \approx 3.14159$, \quad $x \neq 0$, \quad $a \leq b < c$, \quad
$17 \equiv 2 \pmod{5}$, \quad $F \propto \frac{1}{r^2}$, \quad
$X \sim \mathcal{N}(0, 1)$, \quad $\triangle ABC \cong \triangle DEF$, \quad
$f(n) \coloneqq n^2$, \quad $u \perp v$, \quad $x \not\approx y$
\end{document}

Logic and Set Symbols

The LaTeX and symbol is \land (or \wedge), which prints the logical AND ∧; OR is \lor (\vee) and NOT is \neg (\lnot). For the ampersand character & itself, write \&. The long arrow \implies comes from amsmath (\iff is built in), and \therefore, \nexists, \varnothing and \mathbb from amssymb. Browse the logic symbols and set theory symbols references for the rest, and blackboard bold for ℕ, ℤ, ℚ, ℝ and ℂ.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\begin{document}
\[
  (p \land q) \lor \neg r, \qquad
  p \implies q \iff \neg q \implies \neg p
\]
\[
  \forall x \in \mathbb{R} \; \exists n \in \mathbb{N} : n > x, \qquad
  A \cap B = \varnothing, \qquad
  A \setminus B \subseteq A \cup B
\]
$x \notin \emptyset$, therefore $\therefore$ and because $\because$.
\end{document}

Arrows

Arrow names follow a pattern: lowercase \rightarrow is a single arrow, capitalised \Rightarrow is double, and a long prefix makes it longer. \to is a short name for \rightarrow and \gets for \leftarrow. For an arrow with text above it use \xrightarrow{text} from amsmath, which stretches to fit. The arrow symbols reference lists harpoons and every diagonal.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\begin{document}
\[
  f \colon \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}, \quad x \mapsto x^2, \qquad
  \lim_{n \to \infty} a_n, \qquad
  A \xrightarrow{\;f\;} B \xrightarrow[\text{onto}]{g} C
\]
\[
  \mathrm{N_2 + 3H_2 \rightleftharpoons 2NH_3}, \qquad
  x \uparrow \implies y \downarrow, \qquad
  P \Longrightarrow Q
\]
\end{document}

Brackets and Delimiters

Parentheses and square brackets are typed directly; curly braces must be escaped as \{ \} because bare braces group code. Put \left and \right in front of any delimiter to size it to the content, or use \big to \Bigg for a fixed size. The full treatment is in brackets and parentheses, and every delimiter is in the brackets reference.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{stmaryrd}
\begin{document}
\[
  \left( \frac{a}{b} \right)^2, \quad
  \left\{ x \in \mathbb{Z} : x > 0 \right\}, \quad
  \langle u, v \rangle, \quad
  \lvert x \rvert, \quad \lVert v \rVert, \quad
  \lfloor 2.7 \rfloor = 2, \quad \lceil 2.1 \rceil = 3
\]
\[
  [0, 1), \quad \llbracket P \rrbracket, \quad
  \left. \frac{df}{dx} \right|_{x=0}, \quad
  \Big( (a+b) \Big)
\]
\end{document}

Special Characters in Text Mode

Ten characters are reserved by LaTeX: # $ % & _ { } ~ ^ \. The # symbol in LaTeX is \#; likewise \$, \%, \&, \_, \{ and \} print the character. The last three need named commands, because \~ and \^ are accents and \\ is a line break. The special characters guide covers underscores in URLs, the pipe, quotes and currency signs.

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Issue \#42 costs \$5 (a 10\% discount) at Smith \& Sons.

File: my\_file.tex, set \{a, b\}, approx.\ \textasciitilde 3 km,
2\textasciicircum 10, C:\textbackslash Users.

Water boils at 100\textdegree C. See \S 3 and \P 2. \copyright{} 2026.
Footnote mark\dag, ellipsis \dots{} and an em dash---like this.
\end{document}

Sum, Integral and Big Operators

The LaTeX sum symbol is \sum. Add limits with a subscript and a superscript: \sum_{i=1}^{n} a_i. In display math the limits sit above and below the ∑; inline they go to the side so the line spacing is not disturbed. Force the display style inline with \limits or \displaystyle. The same rules apply to \prod, \bigcup and the other big operators, while integrals put their limits to the side by default. See integrals, sums and limits for multi-line limits and spacing, and the sums and big operators reference and calculus symbols for more.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
Inline: $\sum_{i=1}^{n} i = \frac{n(n+1)}{2}$, forced: $\sum\limits_{i=1}^{n} i$.

Display:
\[
  \sum_{i=1}^{n} i^2 = \frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}, \qquad
  \sum_{\substack{0 \le i \le m \\ 0 < j < n}} P(i, j), \qquad
  \prod_{k=1}^{n} k = n!
\]
\[
  \int_{0}^{1} x^2 \, dx = \frac{1}{3}, \qquad
  \iint_{D} f \, dA, \qquad
  \oint_{C} \mathbf{F} \cdot d\mathbf{r}, \qquad
  \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{1}{x} = 0, \qquad
  \bigcup_{i=1}^{\infty} A_i
\]
\end{document}

Common Errors

The degree sign is the one people trip over most often. Both of these work:

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Text mode: the oven is at 180\textdegree C.

Math mode: an angle of $90^\circ$ and $\theta = 45^{\circ}$.
\end{document}

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I write symbols in LaTeX?

Most LaTeX symbols are commands that start with a backslash and only work in math mode: write $\alpha$, $\leq$ or $\infty$ inside dollar signs in a sentence, or inside \[ ... \] on a line of their own. Many extra symbols (\mathbb{R}, \therefore, \varnothing) need \usepackage{amssymb}. To find the command for a symbol you can see but not name, search the Octree symbols reference or draw it in Detexify.

Which package do I need for math symbols in LaTeX?

The basic operators, relations, arrows and Greek letters are built into LaTeX. Load \usepackage{amssymb} for the AMS symbol fonts (\mathbb, \therefore, \nexists, \varnothing, \lesssim) and \usepackage{amsmath} for \implies, \iint, \text and \xrightarrow (\iff is built in). Loading both in every document that has math is the usual habit.

What is the LaTeX approximately symbol?

The LaTeX approximately symbol is \approx, which prints ≈ in math mode: $\pi \approx 3.14$. It needs no package. Related commands are \sim (∼, same order of magnitude), \simeq (≃, asymptotically equal) and \cong (≅, congruent or isomorphic).

How do I type the # symbol in LaTeX?

The # symbol in LaTeX is \#. A bare # is reserved for macro arguments (#1, #2), so typing it in text gives the error “You can’t use macro parameter character # in horizontal mode”. \# works in both text and math mode, and in a URL inside \url{...} you can type # directly.

What is the LaTeX and symbol?

For logical AND (∧) the LaTeX and symbol is \land, or its synonym \wedge; logical OR (∨) is \lor or \vee, and NOT (¬) is \lnot or \neg. For the ampersand character & in text, write \&, because a bare & separates table columns.

How do I write the sum symbol with limits in LaTeX?

Write \sum_{i=1}^{n} a_i in math mode. In a display (\[ ... \]) the limits go above and below the ∑; inline ($...$) they go to the side to keep the line height small. Force them above and below inline with \sum\limits_{i=1}^{n} or \displaystyle, and to the side in a display with \sum\nolimits.

Next Steps

• Greek Letters in LaTeX – Epsilon vs varepsilon, bold and upright Greek, dots and accents
• Special Characters in LaTeX – Every reserved character, the pipe, quotes and currency
• Approximately Equal (≈) – \approx vs \sim, \simeq and \cong
• Integrals, Sums and Limits – Limits, multiple integrals and spacing
• Brackets and Parentheses – \left, \right and manual sizes
• Subscripts and Superscripts – ^ and _ in math and text
• Math Functions – \sin, \log and \DeclareMathOperator
• Learn LaTeX – The beginner tutorial

Free LaTeX Symbol Tools

• LaTeX Symbols Reference – Search 600+ symbols by name, category or command
• LaTeX Preview – Paste a formula and see it rendered
• Math to LaTeX – Turn an image of an equation into LaTeX
• AI LaTeX Generator – Describe the math and get the code