Less Than or Equal in LaTeX (\leq)

Where it is used

Expresses that the left side is less than or equal to the right side.

\leq has a shorter alias \le, and both print the same glyph with a single horizontal bar. Typing <= in math mode gives two separate symbols, so always use the command. Inequalities such as the triangle inequality \|x+y\| \leq \|x\|+\|y\| and bounds like 0 \leq p \leq 1 are its daily work. The slanted variant \leqslant is preferred in some European and Russian traditions, and \leqq has a double bar. In order theory and lattices, \leq names a partial order, while \preceq is used for more general preorders.

Also listed under: Relations & Comparisons, Inequalities & Order

Minimal compilable example

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

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Less Than or Equal: $\leq$

\[ 0 \leq P(A) \leq 1 \]
\end{document}

Related symbols

• Greater Than or Equal\geq
• Not Equal\neq
• Implies\implies
• Approximately Equal\approx
• If and Only If\iff
• Infinity\infty

Frequently asked questions

How do I write Less Than or Equal in LaTeX?

Type \leq in math mode, for example $0 \leq P(A) \leq 1$. It works in plain LaTeX without loading any package.

Which package do I need for \leq?

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

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

Only in math mode. Outside $...$ LaTeX stops with "Missing $ inserted", so write $\leq$ 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).