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Scissor LaTeX

textcomp, gensymb, eurosym and latexsym in Scissor LaTeX

Mostly. The common textcomp symbols such as \textdegree, \texteuro, \textcelsius, \textmu and \textonehalf work, along with \euro and \EUR from eurosym and the latexsym math symbols except \Box; gensymb's \degree works only in formulas, and rarer symbols such as \textohm or \textnumero are skipped, so type the Unicode character instead.

What the packages do

  • textcomp provides symbols for running text: \textdegree, \texteuro, \textcopyright, fractions such as \textonehalf, arrows, currency signs and more. Current LaTeX loads most of it by itself.
  • gensymb gives the same commands in text and formulas: \degree, \celsius, \ohm, \micro and \perthousand.
  • eurosym provides the euro sign: \euro and \EUR{44}.
  • latexsym provides a few math symbols of old LaTeX: \Box, \Diamond, \mho, \leadsto, \lhd, \unlhd, \rhd, \unrhd, \Join, \sqsubset and \sqsupset.

What works here

CommandIn Scissor LaTeXNotes
\textdegree, \textcelsius, \textmuWorks°, ℃, µ.
\texteuro, \textsterling, \textyen, \textcent, \textdollarWorks€, £, ¥, ¢, $.
\textcopyright, \textregistered, \texttrademarkWorks©, ®, ™.
\textonehalf, \textonequarter, \textthreequartersWorks½, ¼, ¾.
\textpm, \texttimes, \textdiv, \textminusWorks±, ×, ÷, −.
\textrightarrow, \textleftarrowWorks→, ←.
\textbullet, \textperiodcentered, \textsection, \textparagraph, \textdagger, \textdaggerdbl, \textellipsis, \textvisiblespaceWorks•, ·, §, ¶, †, ‡, …, ␣.
\textohm, \textmho, \textnumero, \textperthousand, \textlnot, \textuparrow, \textdownarrow, \textmusicalnote, \textordfeminine, \textonesuperior and other rare symbolsNot supportedSkipped with a Problems note; the symbol is missing.
\textwon, \textlira, \textnaira, \textpeso, \textbaht, \textflorinNot supportedSkipped with a Problems note.
\euro, \EUR{44} (eurosym)Works€, and €44. \geneuro and \officialeuro are skipped.
\degree (gensymb) in a formulaWorks$90\degree$ gives 90°.
\degree in text, and \celsius, \ohm, \micro, \perthousandNot supportedIn text the symbol is skipped with a note; in a formula the formula turns red.
latexsym symbols in a formulaWorksExcept \Box, which shows nothing: write \square from amssymb instead.

Every Unicode character you type works without a package: °, Ω, ‰, №, ¬ and so on can be typed straight into the text.

Examples

The common text symbols:

Text symbols from textcomp and eurosym

LaTeXPreamble: \usepackage{textcomp,eurosym}Open in editor
The oven reaches 220\,\textdegree C (or 220\,\textcelsius), the
filter lets through 5\,\textmu m, and the book costs \texteuro 44
or \EUR{44}. \textcopyright\ 2026 Erika Mustermann.
Mix \textonehalf\ cup with \textonequarter\ cup, \textpm 2 g.
Rendered by Scissor LaTeX: Text symbols from textcomp and eurosym

gensymb's \degree in a formula, and the latexsym symbols:

\degree in a formula and latexsym

LaTeXPreamble: \usepackage{gensymb,latexsym,amssymb}Open in editor
An angle of $90\degree$, a temperature of $21\,\degree\mathrm{C}$,
and $\Diamond$, $\mho$, $\leadsto$, $\lhd$, $\unlhd$, $\Join$,
$\sqsubset$, $\square$.

A rare symbol is skipped with a note. Typing the character itself works everywhere:

\textohm is skipped; Ω typed directly works

LaTeXPreamble: \usepackage{textcomp}Open in editor
With the command: 12\,k\textohm. Typed: 12\,kΩ, 4\,‰, № 44.

Problems tab: Skipped 1 unknown command: \textohm

Compatibility

  • From a TeX installation to here: the common symbols look the same. Rare textcomp symbols, gensymb in text and \Box go missing; type the Unicode character instead, or use \square and $\degree$.
  • From here to a TeX installation: documents compile there unchanged. Typed Unicode symbols need a font that has them: with pdfLaTeX, a few (such as № or Ω in text) may need textcomp commands or a Unicode engine.

The full manuals are on CTAN: textcomp, gensymb, eurosym and latexsym. See also Text formatting, siunitx for units, and the symbols reference.

Questions and answers

How do I write the degree symbol in LaTeX?

In text write 20\,\textdegree C (or type °); in a formula write 20^{\circ} or, with gensymb, 20\degree. All of these work here.

How do I write the euro sign?

Write \texteuro, or \euro with the eurosym package, or type € directly. All three work here and in a TeX installation.

Every example on this page is typeset by Scissor LaTeX when the site is built. Last updated 2026-11-07.