Overview

Math mode is not simply “italics mode.” Assistive technologies and conversion tools treat content inside LaTeX math delimiters as math in the semantic sense. In math mode, adjacent letters are treated as separate identifiers with an implied multiplication between them—for example, the \(m\) and \(x\) in \(y=mx+b\) are individual variables. This means you need to use the right commands when including text-like content inside a math expression.

Guidance

\text{} for words, phrases, units, and labels inside math

Use \text{...} (from amsmath) whenever you need words, phrases, units, or descriptive labels within a math expression. The \text{} command switches to text mode, so assistive technologies can announce the content as readable text rather than spelling out individual math variables. It also scales correctly in scripts, fractions, and other nested structures.

Words and phrases (conditions, annotations, case labels):

\(x = 5 \text{ if } y > 0\)
\(f(x) = 0 \text{ for all } x < 0\)
\(n \text{ is even}\)

Units:

\(9.8 \text{ m/s}^2\)
\(5 \text{ kg}\)
\(v = 30 \text{ km/h}\)

Descriptive subscript labels:

\(x_{\text{initial}}\)
\(T_{\text{max}}\)
\(F_{\text{net}}\)

Bad Example

Don’t type units or labels as bare letters in math mode—they will be interpreted as separate variables with implied multiplication:

\(F_{net} = 5 kg \cdot 9.8 m/s^2\)

A screen reader may announce this as “F sub n e t equals 5 k times g times 9.8 m over s squared”—treating each letter as its own variable.

Good Example

Use \text{} so units and labels are recognized as text:

\(F_{\text{net}} = 5 \text{ kg} \cdot 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2\)

Note: Prefer \text{...} over \textrm{...} for text inside math mode. \textrm{...} does not adapt sizing and style as reliably in complex math environments.

Use proper operator commands for function names—not \mathrm{}

If a name acts as a mathematical operator or function—like min, max, sin, or a custom function—do not use \mathrm{} or \text{}. These commands only change the font; they do not give the name operator semantics or proper spacing.

Instead, use the approach that fits your situation:

Situation	What to use	Example
Built-in operator	Use the existing command	`\min`, `\max`, `\sin`, `\ln`
One-off custom operator	`\operatorname{...}`	`\operatorname{arsinh}(x)`
Repeated custom operator	`\DeclareMathOperator`	`\DeclareMathOperator{\arsinh}{arsinh}`

See Tip 6: Use Correct Symbols and Operators for full details and examples on defining custom operators.

Bad Example

Don’t use \mathrm{} or \text{} for function/operator names—they produce upright text but lack operator semantics and spacing:

\(\mathrm{min}(a, b)\)    or    \(\text{min}(a, b)\)

Good Example

Use the built-in \min command, which carries proper operator semantics:

\(\min(a, b)\)

A note on \mathrm{}

You may encounter guidance recommending \mathrm{...} for units, labels, or operator names. While \mathrm{} does produce upright roman text, it remains in math mode—each letter is still treated as a separate math identifier (just with an upright font instead of italic). Spaces inside \mathrm{} are ignored, and it adds no operator semantics.

For accessibility, \text{} is the better choice for text content (units, labels, phrases) and \operatorname{} is the correct choice for function/operator names. The \mathrm{} command has a narrow legitimate use: convention-specific upright symbols that are neither text words nor operators, such as the upright differential in some physics and engineering notation:

\(\int f(x)\,\mathrm{d}x\)

\textbf{} and \textit{} for emphasis inside math

Inside a math expression, don’t switch out of text mode to emphasize or italicize text. Prefer bold for emphasis over italics to avoid potential confusion with math-mode italic variables.

Bad Example

Don’t return to math mode for italics on text content:

\(f(x)=
\begin{cases}
1, & \text{if } x>0 \ and\ \text{if } x\in\mathbb{Z},\\
0, & \text{otherwise.}
\end{cases}\)

Here, \ and\ drops back into math mode for the word “and,” causing a screen reader to announce three separate variables: “a,” “n,” “d.”

Good Example

Use \textbf{} to emphasize text within math:

\(f(x)=
\begin{cases}
1, & \text{if } x>0 \textbf{ and }\text{if } x\in\mathbb{Z},\\
0, & \text{otherwise.}
\end{cases}\)

Quick reference

Command	Use for	Example
`\text{}`	Words, phrases, units, and descriptive labels	`\text{ if }`, `\text{ kg}`, `x_{\text{max}}`
`\min`, `\operatorname{}`	Function and operator names	`\min(a,b)`, `\operatorname{arsinh}(x)`
`\textbf{}`	Bold emphasis on text inside math	`\textbf{ and }`
`\textit{}`	Italic text inside math (use sparingly)	`\textit{ and }`

Avoid:

\mathrm{...} for units, labels, or operator names—it only changes the font without adding text or operator semantics
\textrm{...} inside math mode—font size can be unpredictable
Switching into math mode to italicize non-math text content

Back to Ten Tips for Accessible LaTeX Math Expressions

LaTeX Reference Guides (Canvas / MathJax 2.7)