Multiplication Symbol in LaTeX

LaTeX has two main multiplication signs, both used in math mode: \times for the cross × (as in 3 \times 4 or 6.02 \times 10^{23}) and \cdot for the centered dot ⋅ (as in 2 \cdot 3 or a \cdot b). For division use \div ÷ or a fraction \frac{a}{b}.

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Multiplication and division signs

a \times b
$a \times b$
Times sign ×: arithmetic, dimensions, scientific notation, cross product.
a \cdot b
$a \cdot b$
Centered dot ⋅: algebra, dot product.
ab
$a b$
Juxtaposition: variables written side by side already mean a product.
a \ast b
$a * b$
Asterisk ∗ as an operator, e.g. convolution. * in math mode gives the same.
a \div b
$a \div b$
Division sign ÷.
a \otimes b
$a \otimes b$
Tensor (Kronecker) product ⊗.
\prod_{k=1}^{n} a_k
$\prod_{k = 1}^{n} a_{k}$
Product of many factors, the multiplication analogue of a sum.

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Multiplication symbol 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.

Arithmetic
$3 \times 4 = 12$
LaTeX
```
3 \times 4 = 12
```
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Scientific notation
$N_{A} = 6.022 \times 10^{23} {mol}^{- 1}$
LaTeX
```
N_A = 6.022 \times 10^{23} \ \mathrm{mol}^{-1}
```
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Centered dot
$2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 = 30$
LaTeX
```
2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 = 30
```
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Implicit product
$a (b + c) = a b + a c$
LaTeX
```
a(b + c) = ab + ac
```
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Division
$12 \div 4 = 3 = \frac{12}{4}$
LaTeX
```
12 \div 4 = 3 = \frac{12}{4}
```
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Factorial as a product
$n! = \prod_{k = 1}^{n} k$
LaTeX
```
n! = \prod_{k=1}^{n} k
```
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Matrix size
$A \in R^{m \times n}$
LaTeX
```
A \in \mathbb{R}^{m \times n}
```
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Convolution
$(f * g) (t) = \int_{- \infty}^{\infty} f (τ) g (t - τ) d τ$
LaTeX
```
(f \ast g)(t) = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(\tau) \, g(t - \tau) \, d\tau
```
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\times or \cdot?

Both are correct; the choice is a convention. \times is usual for plain numbers, powers of ten and dimensions (3 × 4 grid, m × n matrix). \cdot is common in algebra, where a cross could be mistaken for the letter x, and between numbers in physics formulas. For letters, no sign at all (2ab) is the norm.

Both commands are binary operators, so LaTeX adds the right space on each side automatically. You do not need \, around them.

The asterisk is not a times sign

In math mode * and \ast both print a centered asterisk ∗. It is the right symbol for convolution or a conjugate (z^*), but in typeset mathematics it reads as a programming habit when used for ordinary multiplication.

Division

\div gives ÷, which is mostly used in school arithmetic. In other contexts write a fraction with \frac{a}{b} (displayed) or a slash a/b (inline).

Common mistakes

The letter x is an italic variable with no operator spacing, not a multiplication sign.
Instead of
```
3 x 4
```
Write
```
3 \times 4
```
* gives an asterisk ∗, not ×.
Instead of
```
2 * 3
```
Write
```
2 \times 3  or  2 \cdot 3
```
A period sits on the baseline and gets no operator spacing.
Instead of
```
a.b
```
Write
```
a \cdot b
```
\times is a math-mode command; in text LaTeX reports "Missing $ inserted".
Instead of
```
The grid is 3 \times 4.
```
Write
```
The grid is $3 \times 4$.
```

In Overleaf, MathJax and Word

Overleaf and pdfLaTeX
All of these are built into LaTeX; no package is needed. Put them in math mode.
MathJax and KaTeX
MathJax and KaTeX support \times, \cdot, \ast, \div, \otimes and \prod directly.
Microsoft Word
Inside a Word equation, typing \times or \cdot followed by a space usually becomes × or ⋅ through Math AutoCorrect. For a whole formula, write it here and use Copy for Word.