Text inside math mode in LaTeX
Text inside math mode is ordinary upright prose set within an equation; in LaTeX \text{...} produces it and requires the amsmath package.
LaTeX command
\text{for all } xNot the symbol you meant? Draw it to find the command →
By default, letters in math mode are set in italic and multi-letter names are treated as products of single variables. To insert real words, wrap them in \text{...}, which sets them upright in the surrounding font and keeps any spaces you type. So \text{for all } x renders the words normally, with the trailing space preserved inside the braces.
For short upright fragments such as units or the differential d, \mathrm{...} gives an upright roman font. Use \mathrm{d}x for an upright differential or \mathrm{m/s} for units. Unlike \text, \mathrm does not preserve spaces and is intended for symbols rather than sentences.
For a named operator that should have proper spacing, like lcm or argmax, use \operatorname{...}. It sets the name upright and spaces it like \sin or \log, which \mathrm does not do. \text and \operatorname require amsmath; \mathrm is core LaTeX. All three are supported by KaTeX.
Other forms
\mathrm{d}xupright roman (units, d)\operatorname{lcm}a named operatorExamples
$x > 0 \quad \text{for all } x \in S$words set upright inside an equation
$5\,\mathrm{m/s}$upright units with a thin space
$\operatorname{lcm}(a,b)$a named operator with correct spacing
$f(x) = x \quad \text{if } x \geq 0$a condition written as text
$\int f\,\mathrm{d}x$an upright differential using \mathrm
Tips and common mistakes
\textneeds amsmath; include the space inside the braces, as in\text{for all }, because math mode drops spaces outside.- Use
\mathrmfor units and the upright differential d (\mathrm{d}x), not for whole sentences. - For a custom operator use
\operatorname{argmax}; it spaces the name correctly, whereas\mathrmdoes not. - Inside
\text, the surrounding text font is used and spaces are literal; outside it, math mode ignores your spaces. - Never write a multi-letter function name as bare letters; sin becomes s times i times n. Use
\sinor\operatorname.
Working from handwritten notes?
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Convert your maths to LaTeX →FAQ
How do I put words inside an equation?
Wrap them in \text{...}, e.g. . Include a space inside the braces where you want one, since math mode ignores spaces outside \text. It needs amsmath.
How do I write upright units in math mode?
Use \mathrm, as in 5\,\mathrm{m/s}. The \mathrm keeps the units upright and the \, adds a thin space between the number and the unit.
How do I define a custom operator like argmax?
Use \operatorname{arg\,max}, or \operatorname*{argmax} if you want subscripts to sit underneath in display style. It spaces the name like a built-in operator, unlike \mathrm.
Why does my text look italic in an equation?
Math mode italicises letters and treats them as separate variables. Wrap real words in \text{...} to get upright prose with normal spacing.