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Guide

Math in Markdown

Write math between dollar signs, using LaTeX. One $ on each side puts a formula inside a sentence. Two $$ on their own lines set an equation on a line of its own, centered.

You write

The area of a circle is $\pi r^2$.

$
\int_0^1 x^2 \, dx = \frac{1}{3}
$

You see

The area of a circle is .

Math is not part of standard Markdown, but GitHub, MarkdownPaper, Obsidian, VS Code and most note apps support it in this form.

4 min read9 sectionsUpdated 1 Oct 2026

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Inline math

Keep the dollar signs tight against the formula: $x^2$, not $ x^2 $. That rule is also what keeps prices as prices.

When a line has a price and a formula, put a backslash before the price's dollar sign, or the two dollar signs can pair up and neither shows as intended.

You write

Each ticket costs \$5 and the total is $n \times 5$.

You see

Each ticket costs $5 and the total is .

On GitHub, a formula with * or _ in it can be read as Markdown first and come out in italics. GitHub's fix is to write it as $`...`$. MarkdownPaper reads the math first, so plain dollar signs are enough there.

You write

The sum is $a_1 * b_1$.

You see

The sum is .

Display math

Put $$ on the line before and the line after. On a single line, some apps (MarkdownPaper among them) set it inside the sentence instead.

You write

$
E = mc^2
$

You see

A fence marked math does the same thing and is easier to spot in the file.

You write

```math
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
```

You see

The symbols you will use most

WriteShows
x^2
x_1
\frac{a}{b}
\sqrt{2}
\sum_{i=1}^{n} i
\alpha \beta \pi
\le \ge \ne
\times \div \pm
\infty
\to

For more than one character in a power or an index, use braces: x^{10}, not x^10.

Line up several equations

Use aligned and put & before the sign to line up on. End each line with \\.

You write

$
\begin{aligned}
y &= 2x + 3 \\
  &= 2(4) + 3 \\
  &= 11
\end{aligned}
$

You see

Matrices and cases

You write

$
\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}
$

$
|x| = \begin{cases} x & x \ge 0 \\ -x & x < 0 \end{cases}
$

You see

Use pmatrix for round brackets and vmatrix for straight bars.

Where math works

AppMath
GitHub$, $$ and the math fence, drawn with MathJax
MarkdownPaper$, $$ and the math fence, drawn with KaTeX
Obsidian$ and $$
VS Code preview$ and $$

KaTeX and MathJax cover the same everyday LaTeX. A rare command may work in one and not the other.

Common problems

  • A price turned into math. Two prices in one line, like $5 and $10, can be read as a formula in some apps. Write \$5 to be safe.
  • The formula shows in red. The LaTeX has a mistake, often a missing brace. The red text is the part that failed.
  • Underscores turned into italics. On GitHub, use $`...`$ or the math fence.

Questions

How do I write an equation in Markdown?

Put it between $$ lines for an equation on its own line, or between single $ for one inside a sentence. The equation itself is written in LaTeX.

Does GitHub support math in Markdown?

Yes, in README files, issues and comments. It uses MathJax and accepts $, $$ and a fence marked math.

How do I write a dollar sign that is not math?

Put a backslash before it: \$5.

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