LaTeX Typography Guide
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LaTeX typography guide
Benjamin J. Morgan
June 4, 2018
This document is for . . . One of the benefits of writing using LATEX
is (ease of producing attractive documents — good typography).
TODO: why worry about typography?
latex typography guide
Contents
1
Use the math environment for mathematical text
2
Working with units
3
The multiplication symbol
4
Numerical values in tables should be aligned on the decimal point.
5
Euler’s number
6
The differential sign
7
Function names
8
Quotes
9
Automatic sizing of brackets in equations
10
Periods / full stops
11
Non-breaking spaces
11
12
Hyphens and dashes
11
13
Punctuating equations
14
Ellipses
15
Angle brackets
16
Text in math mode
13
17
Chemical symbols
14
18
Vectors
19
Kröger-Vink notation
20
Further reading
4
6
8
8
9
9
10
12
13
13
14
16
15
16
General typography
LATEX
3
16
9
6
2
latex typography guide
1
Use the math environment for mathematical text
LATEX typsets text inside math environments differently to regular
text. The two most common ways to include pieces of mathematical
text and symbols are inline formulae, and equations.
Inline formulae are displayed as part of their surrounding text, such
as y = mx + c. They are delimited using $ . . . $ symbols. As an
example, the first sentence in this paragraph is generated using
Inline formulae are displayed as part of their
surrounding text, such as $y=mx+c$.
Equations appear on their own lines, and are usually numbered (by
default), e.g.
y = mx + c.
(1)
Equation environments are delimited using \begin{equation} and
\end{equation} commands.
e.g. the equation above is generated using
\begin{equation}
y=mx+c.
\end{equation}
Formulae numbers can be removed by using \begin{equation*}
and \end{equation*} commands to delimit the environment.
When referring to variables in regular text, surrounding these with
$ . . . $ symbols means they are shown consistently in an italicised
math font.
Consider the following example, which does not use inline math
environments when describing the variables m, c, and y.
The equation for a straight line is
\begin{equation*}
y=mx+c,
\end{equation*}
where m is the slope and c is the intercept on the y axis.
The equation for a straight line is
y = mx + c,
where m is the slope and c is the intercept on the y axis.
Using inline math environments, this becomes
The equation for a straight line is
3
latex typography guide
4
\begin{equation*}
y=mx+c,
\end{equation*}
where $m$ is the slope and $c$ is the intercept on
the $y$ axis.
The equation for a straight line is
y = mx + c,
where m is the slope and c is the intercept on the y axis.
The variables m, c, and y are now correctly typeset using the italicised math font.
2
Working with units
The value of a quantity is formally the product of the number and
the unit, the space being regarded as a multiplication sign.1 Numbers and their associated units should be kept together, and typeset
as a unified component with a small space between the number and
the unit. One way to do this is to place the number and the unit
together inside a math environment, using \text{} to keep the unit
typeset in the non-mathematical font.
The blue whale can grow up to $30\,\text{m}$ in length.
The blue whale can grow up to 30 m in length.
The spacing between “30” and “m” is slightly smaller than the
spacing between “m” and “in”, which gives the reader a subtle
indication to read “30 m” as a single unit.
Compare this with typing the value as normal text, first with, and
then without a separating space:
The blue whale can grow up to 30 m in length.
The blue whale can grow up to 30 m in length.
Here LATEX has treated “30” and “m” as separate words, and separated them by the same distance as all the other words in the
sentence. Because LATEX treats the number and the unit as separate
words, they can also end up split across line breaks:
Blue whales are enormous.
The blue whale can grow up to 30 m in length.
http://www.bipm.org/en/publications/sibrochure/section5-3-3.html
1
latex typography guide
5
Blue whales are enormous. The blue whale can grow up to 30
m in length.
Writing the quantity as a composite of number and unit tells LATEX
to keep them together, and (if possible) adjust the spacing between
the surrounding words to avoid splitting across lines.
Blue whales are enormous.
The blue whale can grow up to $30\,\text{m}$ in length.
Blue whales are enormous. The blue whale can grow up to
30 m in length.
The second example uses 30m written as a single word:
The blue whale can grow up to 30m in length.
The blue whale can grow up to 30m in length.
which gives no spacing between the number and the unit.
An alternative way to handle the typesetting of physical quantities
is to use the siunitx package.2 This requires loading the package
by including \usepackage{siunitx} in your document header. The
previous example can now be written as
Blue whales are enormous.
The blue whale can grow up to \SI{30}{m} in length.
Blue whales are enormous. The blue whale can grow up to
30 m in length.
The siunitx package also makes working with complex units and
scientific notation easier:
$\Delta H = \SI{1.23e3}{\joule\per\mole}$.
∆H = 1.23 × 103 J mol−1 .
Because physical quantities are written as the product of a number and a unit, the unit should appear for each value in a list or a
range, e.g.
$30\,\text{m}$, $35\,\text{m}$, and $40\,\text{m}$.
30 m, 35 m, and 40 m.
and not
$30$, $35$, and $40\,\text{m}$.
2
https://ctan.org/pkg/siunitx?lang=en
latex typography guide
30, 35, and 40 m.
Again, this can be handled using siunitx with the \SIlist command:
\SIlist{30; 35; 40}{m}.
30 m, 35 m and 40 m.
For ranges, siunitx provides the \SIrange command:
\SIrange{30}{40}{m}.
30 m to 40 m.
3
The multiplication symbol
The correct symbol for multiplication (“times”) is ×. This can be
generated using \times in a math environment.
$6\times6\times6$
6 × 6 × 6.
If necessary, you can slightly reduce the spacing around the ×
symbol using the “small negative space” command \!:
$6\!\times\!6\!\times\!6$
6 × 6 × 6.
Using the letter “x” gives the wrong symbol and incorrect spacing.
e.g.
6x6x6
6x6x6
$6x6x6$
6x6x6
4
Numerical values in tables should be aligned on the decimal
point.
Numerical data in tables containing decimal places should be vertically aligned with consistent decimal points.
6
latex typography guide
7
\begin{table}
\centering
\begin{tabular}{ll} \\ \hline
column 1 & column 2
12.345
& 6.789 \\
123.4
& 12.4 \\ \hline
\end{tabular}
\end{table}
column 1
12.345
123.4
column 2
6.789
12.4
Table 1: Incorrect vertical alignment of
numbers.
The traditional way to get the decimal places to line up is fairly
complicated, and involves dividing each number into components
before and after the decimal point, and placing these into separate
columns. Now any “normal” entries—such as column titles—need
to use \multicolumn{} to sit across pairs of columns.
\begin{table}
\centering
\begin{tabular}{r@.lr@.l} \hline
\multicolumn{2}{c}{column 1} &
\multicolumn{2}{c}{column 2} \\ \hline
12 & 345 & 6 & 789 \\
123 & 4 & 12 & 4 \\ \hline
\end{tabular}
\end{table}
column 1
12.345
123.4
column 2
6.789
12.4
A simpler way to produce correctly aligned tables of numbers is to
use the siunix package, which adds the S column type. Note that
the column headers now need to be enclosed by grouping {. . .}
braces.
\begin{table}
\centering
\begin{tabular}{SS} \hline
\text{column 1} & \text{column 2} \\ \hline
12.345
& 6.789
\\
123.4
& 12.4
\\ \hline
Table 2: Using column separators and
multicolumn.
latex typography guide
\end{tabular}
\end{table}
column 1
12.345
123.4
5
column 2
6.789
12.4
Euler’s number
Euler’s number e is a constant, and should not be italicised. Instead, use $\mathrm{e}$.
$\mathrm{e}^x$
ex
versus
$e^x$
ex
6
The differential sign
The “d” in integrals and derivatives is not a variable, and should
not be italicised. Again, use $\mathrm{d}$.
\begin{equation}
y = \int f(x)\,\mathrm{d}x.
\end{equation}
y=
Z
f ( x ) dx.
Note the small space between f ( x ) and dx, produced using \,.
\begin{equation}
\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} = g(x).
\end{equation}
dy
= g ( x ).
dx
Table 3: Using the siunitx S column
type.
8
latex typography guide
7
Function names
In a formula like log( x + y), the “log”, which represents the logarithm function, is a single word that is usually set in roman type.
However, typing log in a formula denotes the product of the three
quantities l, o, and g, which is printed as log. To tell LATEX that you
are referring to a named function, you would instead use the \log
command.
$\log(x+y)$.
log( x + y).
A large number of standard mathematical functions are defined as
LATEX commands, such as sin, cos, tan, exp, lim, max.
A large number of standard mathematical functions are
defined as \LaTeX\ commands, such as
$\sin$, $\cos$, $\tan$, $\exp$, $\lim$, $\max$.
8
Quotes
Printed text distinguishes between opening and closing quote
marks “like these” or ‘these’. These are generated using the characters ‘ and ’.
‘‘This is a quote’’.
“This is a quote”.
Note the result if you use the quote character ":
"This is a quote".
"This is a quote".
9
Automatic sizing of brackets in equations
Use \left( and \right) for pairs of brackets in equations so that
they are automatically resized to fit the enclosed expression.
\begin{equation}
\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)
\end{equation}
9
latex typography guide
1
2
not
\begin{equation}
(\frac{1}{2})
\end{equation}
1
( )
2
This also works with other bracket types (note that braces {} need
to be escaped using backslashes).
$\left[ x+y \right]$ \\
$\left\{ x+y \right\}$ \\
$\left| x+y \right|$ \\
$\left< x+y \right>$
\end{eqnarray}
[ x + y]
{ x + y}
| x + y|
h x + yi
LATEX will check that every \left command has a paired \right
command. If you want unmatched brackets use e.g. \right. to
complete the pair.
$\left(x+y\right.$
(x + y
10
Periods / full stops
To help readers distinguish the end of sentences, typesetters traditionally use slightly larger spaces after sentence-ending periods
than between the words that make up each sentence. LATEX attempts
to follow this convention, and assumes that a period (the character .) ends a sentence if it is followed by a space.
One consequence of this is that there are some cases where LATEX
will insert an expanded space unnecessarily, for example, after
abbreviations.
10
latex typography guide
11
i.e. some other example.
i.e. some other example.
We can tell LATEX to treat this as a normal inter-word space by
adding a backslash
i.e.\ some other example.
i.e. some other example.
11
Non-breaking spaces
Non-breaking spaces prevent text that forms a single object from
being split across two lines. These can be indicated in your document using the tilde symbol ~, e.g. for author initial lists for acknowledgements:
B.~J.~M. acknowledges support from $\ldots$
B. J. M. acknowledges support from . . .
12
Hyphens and dashes
Hyphens and dashes look similar, but they are not interchangeable.3
The hyphen: -. This is used in some multipart words, and compound adjectives:
Lattice-gas Monte Carlo; non-dilute concentrations;
single-particle description.
Lattice-gas Monte Carlo; non-dilute concentrations; singleparticle description.
Dashes come in two sizes: the en dash: –, and the em dash: —.
The en dash: – This is used to indicate a range of values (pages
100–102; Eqns. 3–7.), and to denote a connection or contrast between pairs of words, e.g. lithium–lithium interactions. It can also
be used instead of a hyphen in a compound adjective, when one
of the component words is already hyphenated e.g. muon-spin–
spectroscopy hopping rates.
An en dash is produced in LATEX using either \textendash{} or --.
For a fuller discussion of the different
uses of hyphens and dashes see
Butterick’s Practical Typography:
3
https://practicaltypography.com/
hyphens-and-dashes.html.
latex typography guide
lithium--lithium interactions;
muon-spin--spectroscopy hopping rates.
lithium–lithium interactions; muon-spin–spectroscopy hopping
rates.
The em dash: — This breaks up parts of a sentence. For example,
it can be used in place of parentheses where these might break the
flow of the text.
An em dash is produced in LATEX using either \textemdash{} of
---.
The main thing---if you must know---is to use hyphens
properly.
The main thing—if you must know—is to use hyphens properly.
Finally, all three of these: the hyphen -, the en dash –, and the em
dash —, are distinct from the minus sign −, which is produced
inside a math environment using $-$.
13 Punctuating equations
Grammaticaly you can think of an equation as a single noun. Equations form part of the surrounding text, and require appropriate
punctuation; e.g.
The equation for a straight line is
\begin{equation}
y=mx+c.
\end{equation}
The equation for a straight line is
y = mx + c.
or
The equation for a straight line is
\begin{equation}
y=mx+c,
\end{equation}
where $m$ is the gradient,
12
latex typography guide
and $c$ is the intercept on the $y$ axis.
The equation for a straight line is
y = mx + c,
where m is the gradient, and c is the intercept on the y axis.
14
Ellipses
Ellipses are produced using $\ldots$; not three periods.
We wrote $\ldots$ until we finished.
We wrote . . . until we finished. (correct)
We wrote ... until we finished.
We wrote ... until we finished. (incorrect)
15
Angle brackets
For left and right angle brackets, use \langle and \rangle, or
\left< and \right>. Don’t use < and >.
$\langle x+y \rangle$ \\
$\left< x+y \right>$ \\
$$
h x + yi
h x + yi
< x+y >
16
Text in math mode
Text in equations that does not refer to variables should be in a
roman typeface. This can be produced using \mathrm{}.
$\Delta E_\mathrm{site}=E_\mathrm{oct}-E_\mathrm{tet}$
∆Esite = Eoct − Etet
13
latex typography guide
17
14
Chemical symbols
Chemical elements should be written in roman text, e.g. Cl, Mg,
Li. Chemical formulae should contain elements in roman text, and
correct subscripts and superscripts for stoichiometry, charge, etc.
Subscripts and superscripts need to go inside math environments to
render correctly.
H$_2$SO$_4$ and SO$_4^{2-}$.
H2 SO4 and SO4 2− .
Variables in chemical formulae should be italicised:
Li$_x$TiO$_2$.
Lix TiO2 .
This can be simplified by using the mhchem package,4 by adding
\usepackage{mhchem} to your document header, and then using the
\ce{} command.
$\ce{H2SO4}$ and $\ce{SO4^2-}$ \\
$\ce{Li_xTiO_2}$
H2 SO4 and SO4 2−
Lix TiO2
Notice how the ce{} command tries to intelligently interpret numbers corresponding to stoichiometries and charges.
18
Vectors
Vector quantities should be typset in bold. This can be acheived
using the \mathbf{} command:
$\mathbf{x}$
x
LATEX includes a \vec{} commands, that produces normal weight
text with an arrow over variable names:
$\vec{x}$
~x
The advantage of the command \vec{} is that it provides semantic
information about a document. It is clear when reading the source
4
https://ctan.org/pkg/mhchem?lang=
en
latex typography guide
15
file that \vec{x} refers to a vector quantity, while \mathbf{x} is ambiguous. To keep the semantic benefit of \vec{} you can redefine
the command to give the alternate bold formatting:
\renewcommand{\vec}[1]{\mathbf{#1}}
$\vec{x}_i + \vec{x}_j$
xi + x j
19
Kröger-Vink notation
Kröger-Vink notation provides a way to describe defects in crystalling lattices.5 Defects are donoted by a symbol with a subscript
and superscript: AcS . The main symbol, A, describes the defect
species. This is normally a chemical element, or a vacancy. The subscript, S, describes the site in the crystal lattice. This is normally the
formula for the chemical element that would occupy that site in the
perfect crystal, or i for an interstitial. The superscript is the defect
charge, defines as the charge relative to the formal charge at this
site in the perfect crystal. For example, a neutral oxygen vacancy
has a charge of 0, which gives a Kröger-Vink charge of +2 relative
to a formal O2− ion. Positive relative charge is denoted by one or
more dots, . Negative relative charge is denoted by one or more
dashes, 0 . Zero relative charge is denoted by a cross, ×. Relative
charges larger than ±1 are indicated by repeating the appropriate
symbol.
Kröger-Vink notation can be generated using the kroger_vink package,6 by including \usepackage{kroger_vink} in your document
header. This provides a \kv{A}{S}{c} command that takes three
arguments. The first argument is the defect species, the second is
the lattice site, and the third is the relative charge.
\usepackage{kroger_vink}
\kv{F}{i}{-1} \\
\kv{S}{O}{0} \\
\kv{\vac}{O}{+2}
Fi0
×
SO
VO
The default notation for a vanancy is an italic capital V. This can
be changed to a lower case v or an empty square symbol by
selecting the corresponding package options.
\usepackage[lowercasevac]{kroger_vink}
\kv{\vac}{O}{+2}
F. A. Kröger and H. J. Vink. Relations
Between Concnetrations of Imperfections
in Crystalline Solids, volume 3, pages
307–435. Academic Press, New York,
1956; and F. A. Kröger. The Chemistry
of Imperfect Crystals. North-Holland,
Amsterdam, 1964
5
6
https://github.com/bjmorgan/
kroger-vink.
latex typography guide
vO
\usepackage[squarevac]{kroger_vink}
\kv{\vac}{O}{+2}
O
20
Further reading
General typography
• Butterick’s Practical Typography7
LATEX
• LATEX A Document Preparation System
References
[1] F. A. Kröger. The Chemistry of Imperfect Crystals. North-Holland,
Amsterdam, 1964.
[2] F. A. Kröger and H. J. Vink. Relations Between Concnetrations
of Imperfections in Crystalline Solids, volume 3, pages 307–435.
Academic Press, New York, 1956.
7
https://practicaltypography.com
16
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