Min in LaTeX

The LaTeX command for min is \min.

\min

Writing a paper? The table generator and the BibTeX cleaner are one click away, no account.

Which command should you use?

Command	Package	Use it when
`\min_{x \in X} f(x)` recommended	none	Minimum, with the constraint underneath in display math.
`\operatorname*{argmin}_{x} f(x)`	`amsmath`	Argmin: where the minimum is reached.
`\inf_{x \in X} f(x)`	none	Infimum, when the minimum may not be attained.

Table 1. Ways to write min in LaTeX. Every line was compiled with pdfLaTeX (TeX Live 2026) loading only the package shown.

Common mistake. min(a, b) typed without the backslash is set as the italic product m i n.

How to type Min

Write \min inside math mode, that is between $…$ for inline math or in a \[ … \] or equation block for display math. It is part of core LaTeX math, so no extra package is required.

Example

$\min(a, b) \le \max(a, b)$

\min(a, b) \le \max(a, b)

Open this example in the live preview: it renders as you type, with no compiler and no signup.

Related Calculus & Analysis symbols

\infty\lim\limsup\liminf\sup\inf\max\sqrt{x}\sqrt[n]{x}\frac{a}{b}\dfrac{a}{b}\ldots\cdots\vdots

Calculus and analysis symbols in LaTeX: the full table or search all 350+ LaTeX symbols.

FAQ

How do you write min (min) in LaTeX?

Use \min in math mode; it needs no extra package. For example, $\min(a, b) \le \max(a, b)$.

Which package provides \min?

None: \min is built into LaTeX, so no extra package is required.

What is the most common mistake with min in LaTeX?

min(a, b) typed without the backslash is set as the italic product m i n.