Delta Symbol in LaTeX

Use \delta for lowercase δ and \Delta for uppercase Δ — both inside math mode.

Quick Answer

latex

$\delta$   % lowercase δ
$\Delta$   % uppercase Δ

Basic Usage

Delta must always appear inside a math environment. Use dollar signs $...$ for inline or \[...\] for display.

latex

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

A small delta $\delta$ and a big delta $\Delta$ in text.

In an equation:
\begin{equation}
  \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} \approx \frac{dy}{dx}
\end{equation}

\end{document}

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Common Uses in Academic Writing

latex

% Physics: small change in a quantity
$\Delta T = T_2 - T_1$   % change in temperature

% Statistics: Dirac delta function
$\delta(x - x_0)$

% Chemistry: partial charge
$\delta^{+}$ and $\delta^{-}$

% Math: epsilon-delta definition
$|f(x) - L| < \varepsilon$ whenever $0 < |x - a| < \delta$

Delta as an Operator Subscript

latex

$\Delta_{\text{mix}} G$   % change in Gibbs free energy of mixing
$\Delta H_f^\circ$       % standard enthalpy of formation

Quick Reference: Greek Letters

All Greek letters follow the same pattern — lowercase and (where applicable) uppercase:

Letter	sym	Lowercase cmd	Uppercase cmd
Alpha	α	\alpha	—
Beta	β	\beta	—
Gamma	γ	\gamma	\Gamma
Delta	δ	\delta	\Delta
Epsilon	ε	\epsilon	—
Zeta	ζ	\zeta	—
Eta	η	\eta	—
Theta	θ	\theta	\Theta
Lambda	λ	\lambda	\Lambda
Mu	μ	\mu	—
Pi	π	\pi	\Pi
Sigma	σ	\sigma	\Sigma
Tau	τ	\tau	—
Phi	φ	\phi	\Phi
Chi	χ	\chi	—
Psi	ψ	\psi	\Psi
Omega	ω	\omega	\Omega

Delta Symbol in LaTeX

Basic Usage

Common Uses in Academic Writing

Delta as an Operator Subscript

Quick Reference: Greek Letters

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