<math>

The <math> MathML element is the top-level MathML element, used to write a single mathematical formula. It can be placed in HTML content where flow content is permitted.

Note: See the Authoring MathML page for tips to properly integrate MathML formulas in your web pages and the Examples page for more demos.

Attributes

This element's attributes include the global MathML attributes as well as the following attribute:

display

This enumerated attribute specifies how the enclosed MathML markup should be rendered. It can have one of the following values:

  • block, which means that this element will be displayed in its own block outside the current span of text and with math-style set to normal.
  • inline, which means that this element will be displayed inside the current span of text and with math-style set to compact.

If not present, its default value is inline.

Examples

This example contains two MathML formula. The first one is rendered in its own centered block, taking as much space as needed. The second one is rendered inside the paragraph of text, with reduced size and spacing in order to minimize its height.

html

<p>
  The infinite sum
  <math display="block">
    <mrow>
      <munderover>
        <mo>∑</mo>
        <mrow>
          <mi>n</mi>
          <mo>=</mo>
          <mn>1</mn>
        </mrow>
        <mrow>
          <mo>+</mo>
          <mn>∞</mn>
        </mrow>
      </munderover>
      <mfrac>
        <mn>1</mn>
        <msup>
          <mi>n</mi>
          <mn>2</mn>
        </msup>
      </mfrac>
    </mrow>
  </math>
  is equal to the real number
  <math display="inline">
    <mfrac>
      <msup>
        <mi>π</mi>
        <mn>2</mn>
      </msup>
      <mn>6</mn>
    </mfrac></math
  >.
</p>

Specifications

Specification
MathML Core
# the-top-level-math-element

Browser compatibility

BCD tables only load in the browser

See also

  • HTML top-level element: <html>
  • SVG top-level element: <svg>