Skip to content
Scissor LaTeX

Binary operators in LaTeX math

In math mode, write the operator's command between the two operands: a \pm b gives a ± b, a \times b gives a × b and a \cdot b a centred dot; LaTeX adds the spacing of a binary operator around it.

Using operators

A binary operator stands between two terms, and LaTeX puts a medium space on both sides. Plain +, -, * and / are typed directly; the others have commands.

Operators in a formula

LaTeXOpen in editor
The result is $x = 44 \pm 0.5$, the area $3 \times 4$, and the
product $\mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{v}$. For sets, $A \cup B \setminus C$.
Rendered by Scissor LaTeX: Operators in a formula

When an operator starts a formula or follows another operator, it has nothing on its left, so LaTeX treats it as a sign and drops the space: $-x$ and $a = -b$ come out right without any extra work.

Modular arithmetic: \bmod inside, \pmod at the end

LaTeXOpen in editor
a \bmod n = r \qquad 44 \equiv 2 \pmod{7}

All binary operators

Click a copy button to copy the command.

  • \mod
  • \bmod
  • \cdot
  • \cdotp
  • \sdot
  • \times
  • \oplus
  • \ominus
  • \pm
  • \plusmn
  • \mp
  • \div
  • \star
  • \cap
  • \cup
  • \ast
  • \circledast
  • \dagger
  • \ddagger
  • \circleddash
  • \odot
  • \boxdot
  • \dotplus
  • \boxplus
  • \boxminus
  • \otimes
  • \divideontimes
  • \leftthreetimes
  • \rightthreetimes
  • \ltimes
  • \rtimes
  • \boxtimes
  • \setminus
  • \bigcirc
  • \smallsetminus
  • \Cup
  • \uplus
  • \sqcup
  • \Cap
  • \sqcap
  • \land
  • \wedge
  • \lor
  • \curlywedge
  • \vee
  • \curlyvee
  • \circ
  • \wr
  • \bull
  • \bullet
  • \circledcirc
  • \rhd
  • \lhd
  • \bigtriangleup
  • \bigtriangledown
  • \triangleright
  • \triangleleft
  • \diamond
  • \amalg
  • \dag
  • \ddag
  • \barwedge
  • \centerdot
  • \doublebarwedge
  • \doublecap
  • \doublecup
  • \intercal
  • \oslash
  • \veebar

Circled operators and intersections

The circled operators and the intersections are in the grid above and work as commands. In earlier versions of Scissor LaTeX they stopped the whole document; see when the document does not typeset. Typed characters (⊕, ⊗, ∩) work too.

Circled operators and intersections as commands

LaTeXOpen in editor
V \otimes W \qquad (A \cap B) \cup C \qquad a \oplus b \qquad A \sqcap B \qquad x \circledast y

Questions and answers

How do I write a dot for multiplication in LaTeX?

Use \cdot for a centred dot, as in a \cdot b. \times gives the cross ×, and \ast an asterisk.

Does \oplus work in Scissor LaTeX?

Yes. In earlier versions \oplus stopped the whole document because its symbol name had been renamed in the typesetting library; it typesets as in LaTeX now, and so do \otimes, \odot and \cap.

What is the difference between \setminus and a minus sign?

\setminus is a backslash-like symbol for the difference of two sets, A ∖ B. The minus sign - is for numbers.

Every example on this page is typeset by Scissor LaTeX when the site is built. Last updated 2026-11-06.