Less than or equal (≤) in LaTeX
\leq is the less than or equal to relation, used to state that one quantity is at most another. Its companion \geq gives greater than or equal to.
LaTeX command
\leqNot the symbol you meant? Draw it to find the command →
\leq appears constantly in inequalities, bounds on variables, and the endpoints of closed intervals, where the boundary value itself is included in the range. It is one of the most frequently typed relations in mathematical writing, alongside \geq and equals.
\leq and \le are exact aliases in LaTeX, both producing the identical glyph; pick one spelling and use it consistently throughout a document rather than mixing the two, purely for readability of your source.
Inequalities chain naturally: writing states both bounds on x in one line, and LaTeX spaces the chained relation correctly without any extra work. This is far clearer than splitting it into two separate statements joined by and.
Other forms
\geqgreater than or equal (≥)\lealias for \leqExamples
$0 \leq x \leq 1$x lies in the closed interval from 0 to 1, inclusive
$n \leq 100$n is at most 100
$f(x) \leq g(x) \text{ for all } x$an inequality between two functions
$a \leq b \leq c$a chained inequality
Tips and common mistakes
\leqand\leare identical aliases, pick one spelling and stick with it for consistency in your source.- Chain inequalities directly, such as , rather than writing two separate statements, LaTeX spaces the chain correctly on its own.
- Use
\leqrather than typing < followed by =, which does not produce the correct glyph or spacing. - The strict companion of
\leqis <, and the at-least companion is\geq, for greater than or equal to.
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Convert your maths to LaTeX →FAQ
How do I type less than or equal to in LaTeX?
Use \leq inside maths mode, for example . The alias \le produces the identical symbol.
What is the difference between \leq and \le?
None, they are exact aliases that render the same symbol. Use whichever spelling you prefer, but stay consistent within a document.
How do I write a closed interval bound in LaTeX?
Chain two \leq relations, for example , to state that x lies between a and b inclusive.
What is the strict version of \leq?
The strict, non-inclusive version is <, meaning strictly less than, which excludes the boundary value itself.