Gamma (Γ γ) in LaTeX
\gamma and \Gamma are the lowercase (γ) and uppercase (Γ) forms of the Greek letter gamma in maths mode; unlike alpha and beta, gamma's capital has its own distinct shape, so it needs its own command.
LaTeX command
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Lowercase gamma appears as an angle alongside alpha and beta, the Euler-Mascheroni constant (\gamma is approximately 0.5772), a damping or decay rate in physics, and the Lorentz factor in special relativity. Uppercase Gamma is best known as the Gamma function, \Gamma(n) = (n-1)! for positive integers, extending factorial to non-integer and complex arguments, and also names a boundary curve in complex analysis and topology.
Because Gamma's capital shape is genuinely distinct from any Latin letter, it is one of the Greek letters where the uppercase command is actually used often, \Gamma\left(\tfrac{1}{2}\right) = \sqrt{\pi} is a standard result students meet in the Gamma function's own right, not as a stand-in for a Latin letter.
In physics, watch out for gamma's several unrelated uses within the same subject: the Lorentz factor in relativity, a decay or damping constant in oscillations, and the specific heat ratio in thermodynamics, gamma rays are simply named after the letter historically and involve no formula-level gamma at all.
Other forms
\gammalowercase gamma\Gammauppercase gamma (Γ)Examples
$\gamma$lowercase gamma inline
$\Gamma$uppercase gamma
$\Gamma(n) = (n-1)!$the Gamma function extending factorial
$\gamma = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}}$the Lorentz factor
$\Gamma\left(\tfrac{1}{2}\right) = \sqrt{\pi}$a standard Gamma function value
Tips and common mistakes
\Gammais one of the Greek letters with a genuinely distinct capital shape, unlike alpha or beta's capitals, so it is commonly used in its own right, especially for the Gamma function.- Gamma has no var- variant in standard LaTeX, unlike epsilon, phi or theta.
- Don't confuse the Euler-Mascheroni constant gamma, approximately 0.5772, with the Lorentz factor gamma from relativity, both are common lowercase-gamma symbols but completely unrelated constants.
\gammaand\Gammaneed no extra package, both are core LaTeX.- For the Gamma function specifically, some authors prefer
\operatorname{\Gamma}for consistent spacing when it takes a function-style argument, though plain\Gamma(n) is standard and perfectly fine.
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Convert your maths to LaTeX →FAQ
What is the LaTeX command for gamma?
Lowercase gamma is \gamma (γ); uppercase gamma is \Gamma (Γ), for example and .
What is the Gamma function?
\Gamma(n), written with the uppercase letter, is a function that extends factorial to real and complex numbers, satisfying \Gamma(n) = (n-1)! for positive integers n.
Is there a curly or variant gamma, like \varepsilon for epsilon?
No, gamma has only the one standard lowercase form \gamma and one uppercase form \Gamma, no var- alternative exists in standard LaTeX.
What does gamma mean in physics?
It depends on context, common uses include the Lorentz factor in relativity, a damping or decay constant in oscillatory systems, and the specific heat ratio in thermodynamics, always check which one a given text intends.