What is the difference between LaTeX and KaTeX?

LaTeX is a full document typesetting system that runs on your computer. KaTeX is a fast, browser-based JavaScript library that renders a large, practical subset of LaTeX math syntax. For web-based math rendering — documentation, READMEs, course notes — KaTeX is the industry standard and renders up to 100x faster than MathJax.

Does GitHub natively support LaTeX math in Markdown?

Yes, since 2022 GitHub supports inline math with $...$ and display math with $$...$$ in .md files, Issues, Pull Requests, and Discussions. Our previewer uses the same KaTeX engine so you see exactly what GitHub will render.

Can I mix Mermaid diagrams and LaTeX math in one document?

Absolutely. Our workspace supports both simultaneously. Write ```mermaid code blocks and $...$ or $$...$$ equations side by side in one Markdown file and preview them together in real time.

What syntax do I use — single dollar ($) or double ($$)?

Use single dollar signs $...$ for inline math that flows within a sentence. Use double dollar signs $$...$$ (on their own line) for block/display equations that are centred and larger.

Why is my equation not rendering — showing raw LaTeX instead?

Common causes: (1) Missing or mismatched $ delimiters. (2) Using  delimiters — not supported, use $ or $$. (3) Spaces directly inside the delimiter. (4) Unescaped underscores in plain text — always wrap math inside $.

Does this previewer work offline?

Yes. Once the page has loaded, all rendering is performed client-side using KaTeX. No internet connection is required to preview your math equations.

KaTeX Math Rendering Engine

LaTeX & KaTeX Math Equation Preview

Real-time LaTeX math Markdown viewer and previewer. Write math equations in Markdown and see a pixel-perfect preview — inline formulas, block equations, matrices, and integrals rendered instantly with KaTeX.

KaTeX Spec CompliantLive 2-Way Editing

README.md

Target:

161 words1,145 chars29 lines4 headings~1 min read

Why preview LaTeX before publishing?

Stop Debugging Math Equations in Git Commits

A single misplaced backslash or unmatched brace in a LaTeX equation breaks the entire formula — and on GitHub or documentation sites, that means raw unrendered text visible to every reader. Preview every formula here before you push.

KaTeX — The Fastest Engine

KaTeX renders math up to 100x faster than MathJax with no layout reflow. Your equations display immediately without visual jank.

GitHub-Compatible Syntax

Uses the same $...$ and $$...$$ delimiter conventions supported by GitHub, Jupyter Notebooks, Obsidian, and Notion.

Full Matrix & Alignment

Preview complex pmatrix, bmatrix, aligned equations, cases, and augmented matrices that are impossible to verify without a renderer.

Complete LaTeX / KaTeX Syntax Reference

Copy any snippet into the live editor above to instantly preview the rendered output.

Inline Math

Inline equationWrap with single $

$E = mc^2$

Greek lettersBackslash + name

$\alpha, \beta, \gamma$

Subscript / SuperscriptUse _ and ^

$x_i^2$

Fractions\frac{numerator}{denominator}

$\frac{a}{b}$

Square rootNth root: \sqrt[n]{x}

$\sqrt{x}$

InfinityUse \infty

$\infty$

Block / Display Math

Display equationWrap with double $$

$$
E = mc^2
$$

IntegralUse \int with limits

$$
\int_{a}^{b} f(x)\,dx
$$

SummationUse \sum with limits

$$
\sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i
$$

LimitUse \lim

$$
\lim_{x \to \infty} f(x)
$$

Partial derivativeUse \partial

$$
\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}
$$

Matrices & Arrays

2x2 Matrixpmatrix = round brackets

$$
\begin{pmatrix}
a & b \\
c & d
\end{pmatrix}
$$

Aligned equationsUse & for alignment column

$$
\begin{aligned}
y &= 2x + 1 \\
y &= -x + 4
\end{aligned}
$$

Cases / PiecewiseGreat for piecewise functions

$$
f(x) = \begin{cases}
1 & x > 0 \\
0 & x \leq 0
\end{cases}
$$

Quick-Copy KaTeX Cheatsheet

The 30 most-used KaTeX commands for academic and technical writing. Click any snippet to select all.

Fraction

\frac{a}{b}

Square root

\sqrt{x}

Nth root

\sqrt[n]{x}

Superscript

x^{n}

Subscript

x_{i}

Integral

\int_{a}^{b} f(x)\,dx

Double integral

\iint_{D} f\,dA

Summation

\sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i

Product

\prod_{i=1}^{n} a_i

Limit

\lim_{x \to 0} f(x)

Infinity

\infty

Partial derivative

\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}

Gradient

\nabla f

Vector

\vec{v}

Norm

\|\vec{v}\|

Absolute value

\left| x \right|

Floor

\lfloor x \rfloor

Expectation

\mathbb{E}[X]

Probability

\mathbb{P}(A)

Real numbers

\mathbb{R}

Transpose

A^{\top}

Inverse

A^{-1}

Dot product

\vec{A} \cdot \vec{B}

Cross product

\vec{A} \times \vec{B}

For all

\forall x \in X

There exists

\exists x \in X

Implies

P \implies Q

Equivalent

P \iff Q

Binomial coeff

\binom{n}{k}

Aligned equations

\begin{aligned}
a &= b \\
c &= d
\end{aligned}

KaTeX vs. MathJax vs. Plain Markdown

Understand which features are available in each renderer so you write portable, compatible math.

Feature	KaTeX	MathJax	Plain MD	MarkdownPreview.net
Inline Math ($...$)				Zero-latency client render
Block / Display Math ($$...$$)				Auto-scales to viewport
Matrix environments				pmatrix / bmatrix / vmatrix
Aligned equations				Multiline aligned blocks
Live 2-way editing				Type Markdown / Edit HTML
Mermaid diagrams side-by-side				Same document
Render speed	Fast	Moderate	N/A	KaTeX (fastest)

Who Uses LaTeX Math in Markdown?

From ML researchers to physics professors — math-in-Markdown is the universal format for technical writing.

Academic Papers & Theses

Format equations, cite theorems, and typeset publication-quality math for arXiv preprints, journal submissions, and thesis chapters — all in plain Markdown.

Scientific Documentation

Embed reaction equations, derivation steps, and numerical methods directly into README files and technical wikis without needing LaTeX installed.

Engineering & Physics

Write circuit analysis, signal-processing formulas, thermodynamics equations, and control-theory transfer functions in docs that render on any platform.

Machine Learning & Statistics

Typeset loss functions, gradient updates, probability distributions, and Bayesian inference formulas in Jupyter-style documents and course notebooks.

Common LaTeX in Markdown Pitfalls

Avoid these mistakes that cause equations to render as raw text instead of formatted math.

⚠ Using  or \[ \] delimiters

❌ Wrong

\( E = mc^2 \)

✅ Correct

$E = mc^2$

GitHub and most Markdown renderers only support $ and $$ delimiters, not the LaTeX  shorthand.

⚠ Spaces inside delimiters

❌ Wrong

$ x^2 + y^2 $

✅ Correct

$x^2 + y^2$

Some parsers treat "$ x" (space after dollar) as literal text. Avoid spaces immediately after opening $ or before closing $.

⚠ Unescaped underscores in mixed text

❌ Wrong

The variable x_i and x_j are...

✅ Correct

The variable $x_i$ and $x_j$ are...

Underscores in plain text are parsed as italic/emphasis markers. Always wrap math expressions inside $.

⚠ Missing \\ for new lines in matrices

❌ Wrong

\begin{pmatrix} a & b \ c & d \end{pmatrix}

✅ Correct

\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}

A new row in a KaTeX environment requires \\ (two backslashes). A single \ is an escape character.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about LaTeX math in Markdown.

Explore More Markdown Tools

All tools are free, client-side, and require no account.

Live Markdown PreviewerPopular

Full CommonMark editor with real-time HTML preview, Mermaid, KaTeX, and one-click export.

Try it

GitHub Markdown PreviewGFM

Test GitHub READMEs, GFM alerts, task lists, and tables exactly as GitHub renders them.

Try it

Mermaid Diagram PreviewNew

Live flowcharts, sequence diagrams, class diagrams, Git graphs, and Gantt charts.

Try it

Markdown GuidesLearn

Practical tutorials: VS Code preview, GitHub rendering issues, browser workflows, and more.

Try it