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LaTeX in Notion

By imagetolatex team · Published

Notion renders LaTeX with KaTeX in two ways: a block equation on its own line (type /math and press Enter), and an inline equation inside a sentence (wrap the LaTeX in $$ on both sides, or press Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+E). KaTeX covers most, but not all, of LaTeX math.

Block equations

  1. Step 1: Add the blockOn an empty line type /math and press Enter, or click + in the margin and choose Block equation.
  2. Step 2: Type or paste LaTeXEnter the math without delimiters, for example \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{6}.
  3. Step 3: ConfirmPress Ctrl/Cmd+Enter or click Done. Click the equation later to edit it.
Example block equation
∑ n = 1 ∞ 1 n 2 = π 2 6
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{6}Open in the LaTeX editor

Inline equations

  • Text shortcut: type $$, the LaTeX, then $$ again. It turns into an equation when you close it.
  • Keyboard: press Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+E, type the LaTeX in the input and press Enter.
  • From existing text: select the text and click the √x button in the formatting menu (same shortcut).

What KaTeX in Notion does not do

Notion notes that KaTeX spans most but not all of LaTeX. Things that commonly fail:

  • The align environment. Use \begin{aligned} … \end{aligned} inside a block equation instead.
  • Packages and custom macros from a LaTeX preamble (\usepackage, \newcommand across blocks).
  • Automatic equation numbering and \label / \ref cross-references.

Getting LaTeX into Notion from screenshots and PDFs

Notes often start from a slide, a paper or a textbook. Paste a screenshot of the formula into the image to LaTeX converter, click Copy LaTeX, and paste it into a Notion block equation. For a page with many formulas, Page with several formulas can copy the whole page as Markdown with LaTeX math.

The image to LaTeX converter with a paste area and a sample result showing LaTeX code and its rendered preview
Paste a screenshot, copy the LaTeX, paste it into a Notion equation block.

FAQ

Does Notion support LaTeX?
Yes, through KaTeX, in block and inline equations. It supports a large subset of LaTeX math, not full documents.
Why does my align environment not work in Notion?
KaTeX has no align; use aligned inside a block equation.
How do I convert between inline and block equations?
Copy the LaTeX from one and paste it into the other type; Notion keeps them as separate kinds.
Can I paste a Word equation into Notion?
Not as math. Get its LaTeX first (Word for Microsoft 365 can show it; see How to Convert a Word Equation to LaTeX).

Sources

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