Underline Text in LaTeX

Use \underline{} to underline text in LaTeX.

Quick Answer

latex

This is \underline{underlined text} in LaTeX.

The \underline Command

\underline{} is the built-in LaTeX command for underlining. It works in both text mode and math mode with no additional packages.

latex

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

This is text \underline{and parts of it} are underlined.

\end{document}

Note: The built-in \underline does not break across line endings. If your underlined text is long, it will overflow instead of wrapping. Use the ulem package for line-breaking underlines.

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Line-Breaking Underlines with ulem

The ulem package provides underlines that wrap across lines, plus dashed and dotted variants.

latex

\usepackage{ulem}  % in preamble

\uline{This underlined text will break across lines automatically.}

\dashuline{Dashed underline}

\dotuline{Dotted underline}

Important: ulem redefines \emph to underline instead of italicise. Add \usepackage[normalem]{ulem} to prevent this.

Underline in Math Mode

latex

\begin{equation}
  \underline{x + y} = z
\end{equation}

Combining Underline with Bold or Italic

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\textbf{\underline{Bold and underlined}}
\textit{\underline{Italic and underlined}}

Underline Text in LaTeX

The \underline Command

Line-Breaking Underlines with ulem

Underline in Math Mode

Combining Underline with Bold or Italic

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