Long arrows (⟶ ⟹) in LaTeX
\longrightarrow and \Longrightarrow draw elongated single and double arrows (⟶ and ⟹), the extended versions of \rightarrow and \Rightarrow, used when a standard arrow reads too cramped, such as under a label or inside a diagram.
LaTeX command
\longrightarrowNot the symbol you meant? Draw it to find the command →
The meaning is identical to the shorter \to / \rightarrow and \Rightarrow, the extra length is purely visual, giving room for text placed above or below the arrow, or for lining several arrows up in a sequence of steps or a commutative diagram.
The amsmath command \xrightarrow{text} builds a properly centred, automatically stretching labelled arrow, for instance in a reaction scheme or a chain of implications with an intermediate justification, and is generally preferable to manually stacking text over a bare \longrightarrow.
\longmapsto is the long form of \mapsto, useful when defining a function and wanting extra breathing room between the input and output expressions, , particularly when either side is itself a longer expression.
Other forms
\longmapstolong maps-to (⟼)\Longrightarrowlong double (⟹)Examples
$A \longrightarrow B$a long single arrow
$x \xrightarrow{f} y$a long arrow labelled with a function name
$P \Longrightarrow Q$a long double-line implication arrow
$x \longmapsto x^2$a long maps-to arrow defining a function
Tips and common mistakes
- Use
\xrightarrow{\text{label}}rather than manually stacking text above\longrightarrow, it centres the label and stretches the arrow to fit automatically. \Longrightarrowmeans exactly the same thing as\Rightarrow/\implies, just drawn wider, it is a spacing choice, not a different logical relation.- For genuine multi-object commutative diagrams, a dedicated package such as tikz-cd is usually a better tool than chaining several
\longrightarrowsymbols by hand. - Reach for the short
\towhen writing a limit, , and save\longrightarrowfor places that specifically need the extra width, such as a labelled step.
Working from handwritten notes?
LatexNotes turns a photo or PDF of handwritten mathematics into clean, compilable LaTeX - graphs and all. Free to try, no sign-up.
Convert your maths to LaTeX →FAQ
What's the difference between \rightarrow and \longrightarrow?
They mean the same thing; \longrightarrow simply draws a longer arrow, useful for fitting a label above it or for visual spacing in a diagram.
How do I put text above an arrow in LaTeX?
Use \xrightarrow{\text{label}} (from amsmath), which stretches the arrow automatically to fit the label.
What is \longmapsto used for?
A long 'maps to' arrow, typically when defining a function, e.g. , chosen over \mapsto when extra spacing is wanted.
Does \Longrightarrow mean something different from \Rightarrow?
No, both mean logical implication; \Longrightarrow is only the longer-drawn version of the same symbol.