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Element of Symbol (∈) in LaTeX

Write the element-of symbol as \in in math mode: $x \in A$ gives x ∈ A. "Not an element of" is \notin (∉) and the reversed "contains as element" is \ni (∋). No package is needed.

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Membership symbols

  • x \in A
    x ∈ A

    x is an element of A.

  • x \notin A
    x ∉ A

    x is not an element of A.

  • A \ni x
    A ∋ x

    A contains x as an element. \owns is a synonym.

  • A \not\ni x
    A ∌ x

    A does not contain x.

  • \sum_{i \in I} a_i
    ∑ i ∈ I a i

    Index set under a sum or union.

  • \epsilon, \varepsilon
    ϵ , ε

    Greek epsilon: a letter, not the element sign.

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Templates

Element of ∈ examples

Each result below is drawn from the LaTeX under it. Copy the code, edit it on this page, or open it in the full editor.

∈ is not epsilon

∈ looks like a Greek epsilon, but it is a relation symbol: \in gets relation spacing on both sides and has its own shape. \epsilon (ϵ) and \varepsilon (ε) are letters for variables such as a small tolerance. Using a letter where you mean membership prints the wrong symbol with the wrong spacing.

\notin or \not\in?

Both print ∉. \notin is defined so that the slash sits well on the symbol, and it is the standard choice. \not\in also works; the result can look slightly different depending on the font.

Under sums and unions

Put the membership in the subscript of a big operator: \sum_{i \in I}, \bigcup_{n \in \mathbb{N}}, \max_{x \in S}. In a displayed equation it is set below the operator.

Common mistakes

  • \epsilon is the Greek letter ϵ, with letter spacing, not the element-of relation.

    Instead of
    x \epsilon A
    Write
    x \in A

  • A plain R is an italic variable. The set of real numbers is \mathbb{R} (amssymb).

    Instead of
    x \in R
    Write
    x \in \mathbb{R}

  • \in only works in math mode; in text LaTeX reports "Missing $ inserted".

    Instead of
    where x \in A
    Write
    where $x \in A$

In Overleaf, MathJax and Word

  • Overleaf and pdfLaTeX

    \in, \notin, \ni and \owns are built into LaTeX; no package is needed.

  • MathJax and KaTeX

    MathJax and KaTeX support \in, \notin, \ni and \owns directly.

  • Microsoft Word

    In a Word equation, typing \in followed by a space is usually converted to ∈ by Math AutoCorrect. For a longer formula, write it here and use Copy for Word.

Element of ∈ in LaTeX: questions

How do I write ∈ in LaTeX?
Use \in in math mode: $x \in A$.
How do I write "not an element of"?
Use \notin for ∉: $x \notin A$.
What is the difference between \in and \epsilon?
\in is the membership relation ∈. \epsilon is the Greek letter ϵ. They look alike but are different symbols with different spacing.
How do I write ∋ (contains)?
Use \ni or its synonym \owns: $A \ni x$.

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