Dollar sign in LaTeX (\$)

Where it is used

Escaped dollar sign: prints a literal $ instead of starting or ending math mode.

An unescaped $ toggles math mode in LaTeX, so prices need \$, as in \$19.99. It works in both text and math mode, which makes formulas like \$100 \times 1.05 = \$105 straightforward. In Markdown-based tools and KaTeX renderers the same escape applies. For tables full of currency, the siunitx package can align numbers on the decimal point while the symbol sits in the column header. Writing USD avoids ambiguity when several dollar currencies, such as Canadian or Australian dollars, appear in one document.

Minimal compilable example

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

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Dollar sign: $\$$

\[ \$1{,}000 \times (1.05)^{3} \approx \$1{,}157.63 \]
\end{document}

Related symbols

• Euro sign\text{€}
• Pound sterling sign\text{£}
• Yen sign\text{¥}
• Indian rupee sign\text{₹}
• Bitcoin sign\text{₿}
• Percent sign\%

Frequently asked questions

How do I write Dollar sign in LaTeX?

Type \$ in math mode, for example $\$1{,}000 \times (1.05)^{3} \approx \$1{,}157.63$. It works in plain LaTeX without loading any package.

Which package do I need for \$?

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

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

Both. \$ compiles in running text as well as inside $...$; in a formula keep it in math mode so it gets math fonts and spacing.