Integral in LaTeX (\int)

Where it is used

Draws the integral sign, used for antiderivatives and definite integrals such as the area under a curve.

Write limits as a subscript and superscript: \int_a^b f(x)\,dx gives a definite integral, and the bounds sit beside the sign in display style by default. Add \limits right after \int to stack the bounds above and below, a style some physics texts prefer. Put a thin space \, before the differential so dx does not collide with the integrand. For repeated integrals, \int\int leaves an awkward gap; use \iint or \iiint, which tighten the spacing automatically. In inline math the sign shrinks noticeably, so long or nested integrals usually read better in a display environment.

Minimal compilable example

Paste this into an empty .tex file and compile it with pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX.

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Integral: $\int$

\[ \int_0^1 x^2\,dx = \frac{1}{3} \]
\end{document}

Related symbols

• Integral\int_{a}^{b}
• Nabla\nabla
• Double Integral\iint
• Partial Derivative\partial
• Triple Integral\iiint
• Contour Integral\oint

Frequently asked questions

How do I write Integral in LaTeX?

Type \int in math mode, for example $\int_0^1 x^2\,dx = \frac{1}{3}$. It works in plain LaTeX without loading any package.

Which package do I need for \int?

None. \int is part of standard LaTeX, so it compiles with nothing in the preamble but the document class.

Can I use \int in text mode, or only in math mode?

Only in math mode. Outside $...$ LaTeX stops with "Missing $ inserted", so write $\int$ in running text. If you only need the glyph in text, paste the Unicode character ∫ instead (with XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX and a font that has it).