The LaTeX command for normal distribution (𝒩) is \mathcal{N} (normal / Gaussian distribution).
\mathcal{N}Writing a paper? The table generator and the BibTeX cleaner are one click away, no account.
| Command | Package | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
\mathcal{N}(\mu, \sigma^2) recommended | none | The standard notation for a Gaussian with mean and variance. |
X \sim \mathcal{N}(0, 1) | none | \sim reads "is distributed as". |
\mathcal{N}_d(\boldsymbol{\mu}, \boldsymbol{\Sigma}) | amsmath | Multivariate normal, with bold vector and matrix. |
Write \mathcal{N} 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.
$X \sim \mathcal{N}(\mu, \sigma^2)$Open this example in the live preview: it renders as you type, with no compiler and no signup.
\mathbb{R} (ℝ): real numbers\mathbb{N} (ℕ): natural numbers\mathds{1} (𝟙): indicator function / characteristic function\mathbb{E}\mathbb{P}\operatorname{Var}\operatorname{Cov}\operatorname{Cor}\mathds{1}\mathrel{\perp\!\!\!\perp}\xrightarrow{d}\xrightarrow{p}\xrightarrow{a.s.}\overset{\text{iid}}{\sim}Statistics and probability symbols in LaTeX: the full table or search all 350+ LaTeX symbols.
Use \mathcal{N} in math mode; it needs no extra package. For example, $X \sim \mathcal{N}(\mu, \sigma^2)$.
None: \mathcal{N} is built into LaTeX, so no extra package is required.
\mathbb{N} is the set of natural numbers, not the normal distribution: use the calligraphic \mathcal{N}.