latex2mathml

latex2mathml is a family of tools and libraries that convert LaTeX math expressions into MathML markup. It is used to render mathematical notation in web pages and documents in a way that can be parsed by screen readers and other assistive technologies, as well as by browsers that support MathML. The project name is used by several open-source implementations across languages, most commonly Python and JavaScript.

How it works: typically, a user provides a string of LaTeX math, optionally including inline or display math delimiters. The converter parses the expression, recognizes common constructs such as fractions, square roots, superscripts, subscripts, sums and integrals, matrices, and accents, and emits corresponding MathML tags (for presentation or, less commonly, content). The result is intended to preserve the visual structure of the formula while supplying a machine-readable representation.

Usage and integration: developers integrate latex2mathml as a library or command-line tool, enabling automatic conversion in editors, static site pipelines, or web apps. The output can be embedded directly into HTML or used by rendering pipelines in MathML-capable environments or with polyfills that provide MathML support.

Limitations: coverage varies by implementation; user-defined macros and LaTeX packages are often not supported, and some constructs may be ambiguous or lose spacing semantics. Complex multi-line equations or specialized packages may require pre-processing or simplification. As a result, the accuracy and completeness of the conversion depend on the chosen tool and the input’s complexity. Given varying browser support for MathML, some projects emphasize accessibility semantics over broad rendering in all environments.