> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://resources.latex-cloud-studio.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Make Text Bold in LaTeX: \textbf{}, Italics, and Underline

> Make text bold in LaTeX with `\textbf{}`. Copy the exact syntax and learn when to use `\textit{}`, `\emph{}`, or `\underline{}` instead.

export const RenderedOutput = ({title = "Rendered output", ctaHref, ctaLabel = "Open LaTeX Cloud Studio", children}) => {
  const [isExpanded, setIsExpanded] = useState(false);
  const trackEditorCta = () => {
    const target = new URL(ctaHref, window.location.href);
    globalThis.posthog?.capture?.("docs_app_cta_clicked", {
      source_page: window.location.pathname,
      source_section: "rendered_output",
      cta_variant: "first_compiled_example",
      target_url: target.toString(),
      target_utm_source: target.searchParams.get("utm_source"),
      target_utm_medium: target.searchParams.get("utm_medium"),
      target_utm_campaign: target.searchParams.get("utm_campaign"),
      target_utm_content: target.searchParams.get("utm_content")
    }, {
      transport: "sendBeacon",
      send_instantly: true
    });
  };
  return <details className="rendered-output" onToggle={event => setIsExpanded(event.currentTarget.open)}>
      <summary className="rendered-output__summary">
        <span className="rendered-output__title">{title}</span>
        <span className="rendered-output__hint" aria-hidden="true">View compiled result</span>
      </summary>
      {isExpanded && <div className="rendered-output__content">
          {children}
          {ctaHref && <aside className="rendered-output__cta" aria-label="Continue in the LaTeX editor">
              <span>
                <strong>Ready to use this syntax?</strong>
                Continue in the browser editor when you want to adapt the example in a real project.
              </span>
              <a href={ctaHref} onClick={trackEditorCta}>{ctaLabel}<span aria-hidden="true"> →</span></a>
            </aside>}
        </div>}
    </details>;
};

export const LatexSource = ({filename, source}) => {
  const [copyStatus, setCopyStatus] = useState("Copy");
  const copySource = async () => {
    try {
      await navigator.clipboard.writeText(source);
      setCopyStatus("Copied");
    } catch {
      setCopyStatus("Select and copy");
    }
  };
  return <figure className="latex-source">
      <figcaption className="latex-source__header">
        <span className="latex-source__filename">{filename}</span>
        <button type="button" className="latex-source__copy" onClick={copySource} aria-live="polite">
          {copyStatus}
        </button>
      </figcaption>
      <pre className="latex-source__pre" aria-label={`LaTeX source: ${filename}`} tabIndex="0">
        <code className="language-latex">{source}</code>
      </pre>
    </figure>;
};

export const LatexPreview = ({src, alt, caption, width, height}) => {
  const minZoom = 1;
  const maxZoom = 3;
  const zoomStep = 0.5;
  const measureSvgContent = async (assetSrc, pageWidth, pageHeight) => {
    const cacheKey = "__latexCloudSvgContentBoxCache";
    const contentBoxCache = globalThis[cacheKey] ?? new Map();
    globalThis[cacheKey] = contentBoxCache;
    if (contentBoxCache.has(assetSrc)) return contentBoxCache.get(assetSrc);
    const measurement = (async () => {
      const assetUrl = new URL(assetSrc, window.location.href);
      if (assetUrl.origin !== window.location.origin) {
        throw new Error("Rendered output must use a same-origin SVG asset.");
      }
      const response = await fetch(assetUrl, {
        credentials: "same-origin"
      });
      if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Rendered output request failed with ${response.status}.`);
      const source = await response.text();
      const documentNode = new DOMParser().parseFromString(source, "image/svg+xml");
      if (documentNode.querySelector("parsererror")) throw new Error("Rendered output is not valid SVG.");
      const sourceSvg = documentNode.documentElement;
      sourceSvg.querySelectorAll("script, foreignObject").forEach(node => node.remove());
      [sourceSvg, ...sourceSvg.querySelectorAll("*")].forEach(node => {
        [...node.attributes].forEach(attribute => {
          if ((/^on/i).test(attribute.name)) node.removeAttribute(attribute.name);
          if ((attribute.name === "href" || attribute.name === "xlink:href") && !attribute.value.startsWith("#")) {
            node.removeAttribute(attribute.name);
          }
        });
      });
      const measurementHost = document.createElement("div");
      measurementHost.className = "latex-preview__measurement-host";
      const measuredSvg = document.importNode(sourceSvg, true);
      measuredSvg.setAttribute("aria-hidden", "true");
      measurementHost.appendChild(measuredSvg);
      document.body.appendChild(measurementHost);
      try {
        const measuredElements = [...measuredSvg.children].filter(node => !["defs", "desc", "metadata", "style", "title"].includes(node.tagName.toLowerCase()));
        const elementBounds = measuredElements.map(node => node.getBBox()).filter(box => [box.x, box.y, box.width, box.height].every(Number.isFinite) && box.width > 0 && box.height > 0);
        if (elementBounds.length === 0) {
          throw new Error("Rendered output has no measurable visible content.");
        }
        const sortedBounds = [...elementBounds].sort((left, right) => left.y - right.y);
        const clusterGap = pageHeight * 0.045;
        const clusters = [];
        sortedBounds.forEach(box => {
          const current = clusters[clusters.length - 1];
          if (!current || box.y - current.bottom > clusterGap) {
            clusters.push({
              boxes: [box],
              bottom: box.y + box.height
            });
            return;
          }
          current.boxes.push(box);
          current.bottom = Math.max(current.bottom, box.y + box.height);
        });
        const contentClusters = clusters.filter(cluster => {
          const clusterBox = cluster.boxes.reduce((combined, box) => {
            const right = Math.max(combined.x + combined.width, box.x + box.width);
            const bottom = Math.max(combined.y + combined.height, box.y + box.height);
            const x = Math.min(combined.x, box.x);
            const y = Math.min(combined.y, box.y);
            return {
              x,
              y,
              width: right - x,
              height: bottom - y
            };
          });
          const centerY = clusterBox.y + clusterBox.height / 2;
          const isMarginFurniture = cluster.boxes.length <= 2 && clusterBox.width < pageWidth * 0.2 && clusterBox.height < pageHeight * 0.04 && (centerY < pageHeight * 0.08 || centerY > pageHeight * 0.8);
          return !isMarginFurniture;
        });
        const visibleBounds = (contentClusters.length > 0 ? contentClusters : clusters).flatMap(cluster => cluster.boxes);
        const bounds = visibleBounds.reduce((combined, box) => {
          const right = Math.max(combined.x + combined.width, box.x + box.width);
          const bottom = Math.max(combined.y + combined.height, box.y + box.height);
          const x = Math.min(combined.x, box.x);
          const y = Math.min(combined.y, box.y);
          return {
            x,
            y,
            width: right - x,
            height: bottom - y
          };
        });
        const clampValue = (value, minimum, maximum) => Math.min(maximum, Math.max(minimum, value));
        const padding = Math.max(8, Math.min(pageWidth, pageHeight) * 0.025);
        const x = clampValue(bounds.x - padding, 0, pageWidth);
        const y = clampValue(bounds.y - padding, 0, pageHeight);
        const right = clampValue(bounds.x + bounds.width + padding, 0, pageWidth);
        const bottom = clampValue(bounds.y + bounds.height + padding, 0, pageHeight);
        return {
          x,
          y,
          width: right - x,
          height: bottom - y
        };
      } finally {
        measurementHost.remove();
      }
    })();
    contentBoxCache.set(assetSrc, measurement);
    measurement.catch(() => contentBoxCache.delete(assetSrc));
    return measurement;
  };
  const renderPreviewAsset = ({contentBox: assetContentBox, loading}) => {
    if (!assetContentBox) {
      return <img className="latex-preview__asset" src={src} alt={alt} width={width} height={height} loading={loading} draggable="false" />;
    }
    return <svg className="latex-preview__asset" viewBox={`${assetContentBox.x} ${assetContentBox.y} ${assetContentBox.width} ${assetContentBox.height}`} preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" role="img" aria-label={alt}>
        <image href={src} x="0" y="0" width={width} height={height} />
      </svg>;
  };
  const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState(false);
  const [frameMode, setFrameMode] = useState("content");
  const [viewMode, setViewMode] = useState("fit");
  const [zoom, setZoom] = useState(minZoom);
  const [contentBox, setContentBox] = useState(null);
  const [measurementStatus, setMeasurementStatus] = useState("loading");
  const dialogRef = useRef(null);
  const closeButtonRef = useRef(null);
  const viewportRef = useRef(null);
  const previousFocusRef = useRef(null);
  const dragRef = useRef(null);
  useEffect(() => {
    let isCurrent = true;
    setMeasurementStatus("loading");
    measureSvgContent(src, width, height).then(box => {
      if (!isCurrent) return;
      setContentBox(box);
      setMeasurementStatus("ready");
    }).catch(() => {
      if (!isCurrent) return;
      setContentBox(null);
      setFrameMode("page");
      setMeasurementStatus("error");
    });
    return () => {
      isCurrent = false;
    };
  }, [height, src, width]);
  const closeViewer = useCallback(() => {
    setIsOpen(false);
  }, []);
  const openViewer = () => {
    previousFocusRef.current = document.activeElement;
    setFrameMode(contentBox ? "content" : "page");
    setViewMode("fit");
    setZoom(minZoom);
    setIsOpen(true);
  };
  const applyZoom = useCallback(nextZoom => {
    const boundedZoom = Math.min(maxZoom, Math.max(minZoom, nextZoom));
    setViewMode("custom");
    setZoom(boundedZoom);
  }, []);
  const zoomIn = useCallback(() => {
    applyZoom(viewMode === "fit" ? minZoom + zoomStep : zoom + zoomStep);
  }, [applyZoom, viewMode, zoom]);
  const zoomOut = useCallback(() => {
    applyZoom(viewMode === "fit" ? minZoom : zoom - zoomStep);
  }, [applyZoom, viewMode, zoom]);
  useEffect(() => {
    if (!isOpen) return undefined;
    const previousOverflow = document.body.style.overflow;
    document.body.style.overflow = "hidden";
    closeButtonRef.current?.focus();
    return () => {
      document.body.style.overflow = previousOverflow;
      previousFocusRef.current?.focus?.();
    };
  }, [isOpen]);
  useEffect(() => {
    if (!isOpen) return undefined;
    const handleKeyDown = event => {
      if (event.key === "Escape") {
        event.preventDefault();
        closeViewer();
        return;
      }
      if ((event.key === "+" || event.key === "=") && !event.metaKey && !event.ctrlKey) {
        event.preventDefault();
        zoomIn();
        return;
      }
      if (event.key === "-" && !event.metaKey && !event.ctrlKey) {
        event.preventDefault();
        zoomOut();
        return;
      }
      if (event.key !== "Tab" || !dialogRef.current) return;
      const focusable = [...dialogRef.current.querySelectorAll('button:not([disabled]), a[href], [tabindex]:not([tabindex="-1"])')];
      if (focusable.length === 0) return;
      const first = focusable[0];
      const last = focusable[focusable.length - 1];
      if (event.shiftKey && document.activeElement === first) {
        event.preventDefault();
        last.focus();
      } else if (!event.shiftKey && document.activeElement === last) {
        event.preventDefault();
        first.focus();
      }
    };
    window.addEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
    return () => {
      window.removeEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
    };
  }, [closeViewer, isOpen, zoomIn, zoomOut]);
  const startDrag = event => {
    if (event.button !== 0 || !viewportRef.current) return;
    const viewport = viewportRef.current;
    dragRef.current = {
      pointerId: event.pointerId,
      x: event.clientX,
      y: event.clientY,
      scrollLeft: viewport.scrollLeft,
      scrollTop: viewport.scrollTop
    };
    viewport.setPointerCapture(event.pointerId);
    viewport.dataset.dragging = "true";
  };
  const continueDrag = event => {
    const drag = dragRef.current;
    const viewport = viewportRef.current;
    if (!drag || !viewport || drag.pointerId !== event.pointerId) return;
    viewport.scrollLeft = drag.scrollLeft - (event.clientX - drag.x);
    viewport.scrollTop = drag.scrollTop - (event.clientY - drag.y);
  };
  const stopDrag = event => {
    const viewport = viewportRef.current;
    if (viewport?.hasPointerCapture(event.pointerId)) viewport.releasePointerCapture(event.pointerId);
    if (viewport) delete viewport.dataset.dragging;
    dragRef.current = null;
  };
  const activeContentBox = frameMode === "content" ? contentBox : null;
  const activeWidth = activeContentBox?.width ?? width;
  const activeHeight = activeContentBox?.height ?? height;
  const activeRatio = activeWidth / activeHeight;
  const inlineContentBox = measurementStatus === "ready" ? contentBox : null;
  const inlineWidth = inlineContentBox?.width ?? width;
  const inlineHeight = inlineContentBox?.height ?? height;
  const inlineGeometry = {
    aspectRatio: `${inlineWidth} / ${inlineHeight}`,
    maxWidth: `${30 * inlineWidth / inlineHeight}rem`
  };
  const imageStyle = viewMode === "fit" ? {
    aspectRatio: `${activeWidth} / ${activeHeight}`,
    width: "100%",
    maxWidth: `${Math.max(16, activeRatio * 78)}dvh`
  } : {
    aspectRatio: `${activeWidth} / ${activeHeight}`,
    width: `${zoom * 100}%`,
    maxWidth: "none"
  };
  const zoomLabel = viewMode === "fit" ? frameMode === "content" ? "Fit content" : "Full page" : `${Math.round(zoom * 100)}%`;
  return <figure className="latex-preview">
      <button type="button" className="latex-preview__trigger" onClick={openViewer} aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-label={`Open zoomable preview: ${alt}`}>
        <span className="latex-preview__page" style={inlineGeometry}>
          {measurementStatus === "loading" ? <span className="latex-preview__loading" role="status">Preparing compiled output…</span> : renderPreviewAsset({
    src,
    alt,
    width,
    height,
    contentBox: inlineContentBox,
    loading: "lazy"
  })}
        </span>
        <span className="latex-preview__trigger-label" aria-hidden="true">
          <span className="latex-preview__trigger-icon">⌕</span>
          Open viewer
        </span>
      </button>
      <figcaption className="latex-preview__caption">
        <span>
          {caption}
          {measurementStatus === "error" && <span className="latex-preview__status" role="status"> Content fit is unavailable; the complete vector page is shown.</span>}
        </span>
        <a href={src} target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" className="latex-preview__source-link">Open SVG</a>
      </figcaption>

      {isOpen && <div className="latex-preview__backdrop" onMouseDown={event => {
    if (event.target === event.currentTarget) closeViewer();
  }}>
          <section ref={dialogRef} className="latex-preview__dialog" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-label={`Rendered LaTeX viewer: ${alt}`}>
            <header className="latex-preview__toolbar">
              <div className="latex-preview__identity">
                <span className="latex-preview__eyebrow">Compiled LaTeX</span>
                <span className="latex-preview__filename">{alt}</span>
              </div>
              <div className="latex-preview__controls" aria-label="Preview controls">
                <button type="button" className={frameMode === "content" && viewMode === "fit" ? "is-active" : undefined} disabled={!contentBox} onClick={() => {
    setFrameMode("content");
    setViewMode("fit");
    setZoom(minZoom);
  }}>
                  Fit content
                </button>
                <button type="button" className={frameMode === "page" && viewMode === "fit" ? "is-active" : undefined} onClick={() => {
    setFrameMode("page");
    setViewMode("fit");
    setZoom(minZoom);
  }}>
                  Full page
                </button>
                <span className="latex-preview__zoom-group">
                  <button type="button" onClick={zoomOut} disabled={viewMode === "fit" || zoom <= minZoom} aria-label="Zoom out">−</button>
                  <output aria-live="polite" aria-label="Current zoom">{zoomLabel}</output>
                  <button type="button" onClick={zoomIn} disabled={viewMode !== "fit" && zoom >= maxZoom} aria-label="Zoom in">+</button>
                </span>
                <a href={src} target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Open SVG</a>
                <button ref={closeButtonRef} type="button" className="latex-preview__close" onClick={closeViewer} aria-label="Close rendered LaTeX viewer">
                  Close
                </button>
              </div>
            </header>
            <div ref={viewportRef} className="latex-preview__viewport" data-view-mode={viewMode} onPointerDown={startDrag} onPointerMove={continueDrag} onPointerUp={stopDrag} onPointerCancel={stopDrag}>
              <span className="latex-preview__dialog-page" style={imageStyle}>
                {renderPreviewAsset({
    src,
    alt,
    width,
    height,
    contentBox: activeContentBox
  })}
              </span>
            </div>
            <footer className="latex-preview__viewer-note">
              Compiler-generated vector output · Use +/− to zoom · Drag to pan · Esc to close
            </footer>
          </section>
        </div>}
    </figure>;
};

To make text bold in LaTeX, write `\textbf{bold text}`. Use `\textit{italic text}` for a fixed italic style, `\emph{emphasized text}` for meaning-aware emphasis, and `\underline{underlined text}` only when an underline is specifically required.

<Info>
  **Copy-paste syntax**: `\textbf{bold}`, `\textit{italic}`, `\emph{emphasis}`, `\underline{underline}`

  For the common “bold text in LaTeX” use case, the command you need is `\textbf{}`. It works in normal text and can contain other text-formatting commands.
</Info>

## Basic Text Formatting

### Bold Text

Use `\textbf{}` to make text bold:

<LatexSource filename="bold.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\nThis is \\textbf{bold text} in a sentence.\n\n\\textbf{This entire sentence is bold.}\n\nYou can \\textbf{nest other commands like \\textit{italic} inside bold}.\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output" ctaHref="https://app.latex-cloud-studio.com/?utm_source=resources&utm_medium=rendered_output&utm_campaign=docs_open_app&utm_content=learn_latex_basics_bold_italics_underlining">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-01/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from bold.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

### Italic Text

Use `\textit{}` for italics:

<LatexSource filename="italic.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\nThis is \\textit{italic text} in a sentence.\n\n\\textit{This entire sentence is italicized.}\n\nLaTeX uses \\textit{emphasis} for semantic meaning.\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-02/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from italic.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

### Underlined Text

Use `\underline{}` for underlining:

<LatexSource filename="underline.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\nThis is \\underline{underlined text} in a sentence.\n\n\\underline{This entire sentence is underlined.}\n\n% Note: Underlining can look messy with descenders\nThe letters \\underline{g, j, p, q, y} have descenders.\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-04/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from underline.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

<Warning>
  **Avoid overusing underline**: In professional typography, underlining is rarely used. Consider bold or italic for emphasis instead.
</Warning>

## Combining Formats

You can combine multiple formatting commands:

<LatexSource filename="combining.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\n% Bold and italic\n\\textbf{\\textit{Bold and italic text}}\n\n% Italic and underlined\n\\textit{\\underline{Italic and underlined}}\n\n% All three\n\\textbf{\\textit{\\underline{Bold, italic, and underlined}}}\n\n% Alternative nesting order (same result)\n\\underline{\\textbf{\\textit{Also all three formats}}}\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-05/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from combining.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

## Emphasis Command

The `\emph{}` command provides semantic emphasis:

<LatexSource filename="emphasis.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\n% Normal emphasis (produces italic)\nThis is \\emph{emphasized text}.\n\n% Nested emphasis (toggles back to normal)\n\\emph{This is italic with \\emph{nested} emphasis.}\n\n% Emphasis is semantic - it adapts to context\n\\textit{In italic text, \\emph{emphasis} becomes upright.}\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-03/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from emphasis.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

<Tip>
  Use `\emph{}` when you want to emphasize meaning. Use `\textit{}` when you specifically want italic style.
</Tip>

## Additional Text Styles

### Small Caps

<LatexSource filename="smallcaps.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\n% Small capitals\n\\textsc{Small Capitals Look Like This}\n\n% Useful for names and acronyms\n\\textsc{nasa} announced the launch.\n\nWritten by \\textsc{John Smith}, \\textsc{phd}.\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-06/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from smallcaps.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

### Typewriter (Monospace)

<LatexSource filename="typewriter.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\n% Monospace font for code\nType \\texttt{latex document.tex} to compile.\n\n% File paths\nSave your file as \\texttt{/home/user/document.tex}\n\n% Inline code\nThe \\texttt{\\\\textbf} command makes text bold.\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-07/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from typewriter.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

### Sans Serif

<LatexSource filename="sans-serif.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\n% Sans serif text\n\\textsf{This is sans serif text.}\n\n% Useful for modern look\n\\textsf{\\textbf{Bold Sans Serif Heading}}\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-08/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from sans-serif.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

### Slanted Text

<LatexSource filename="slanted.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\n% Slanted is different from italic\n\\textsl{This is slanted text.}\n\nCompare: \\textit{italic} vs \\textsl{slanted}\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-09/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from slanted.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

## Font Size Commands

Combine with text formatting:

<LatexSource filename="sizes.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\n{\\large \\textbf{Large Bold Text}}\n\n{\\Large \\textit{Even Larger Italic}}\n\n{\\small \\texttt{Small monospace text}}\n\n% Size commands from smallest to largest:\n{\\tiny tiny}\n{\\scriptsize scriptsize}\n{\\footnotesize footnotesize}\n{\\small small}\n{\\normalsize normalsize}\n{\\large large}\n{\\Large Large}\n{\\LARGE LARGE}\n{\\huge huge}\n{\\Huge Huge}\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-10/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from sizes.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

## Color Text (Optional Package)

Add color to your formatting:

<LatexSource filename="color.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\usepackage{xcolor}\n\\begin{document}\n\n% Basic colors\n\\textcolor{red}{Red text}\n\\textcolor{blue}{\\textbf{Bold blue text}}\n\\textcolor{green}{\\textit{Italic green text}}\n\n% Custom colors\n\\definecolor{myorange}{RGB}{255, 96, 55}\n\\textcolor{myorange}{Custom orange color}\n\n% Highlighting\n\\colorbox{yellow}{Highlighted text}\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-11/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from color.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={612} height={792} />
</RenderedOutput>

## Advanced Formatting

### Strikethrough

<LatexSource filename="strikethrough.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\usepackage{soul}\n\\begin{document}\n\n% Strikethrough\n\\st{This text is struck through}\n\n% Highlighting with soul package\n\\hl{This text is highlighted}\n\n% Letter spacing\n\\so{SPACED OUT TEXT}\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-12/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from strikethrough.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

### Better Underlines

<LatexSource filename="better-underline.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\usepackage{ulem}\n\\begin{document}\n\n% Normal underline\n\\uline{Better underline with ulem}\n\n% Double underline\n\\uuline{Double underlined text}\n\n% Wavy underline\n\\uwave{Wavy underline for errors}\n\n% Strike out\n\\sout{Struck out text}\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-13/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from better-underline.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

## Environment-Based Formatting

For longer passages:

<LatexSource filename="environments.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\n% Bold environment\n\\begin{bfseries}\nThis entire paragraph is bold. You can write multiple sentences\nand they will all be bold. This is useful for longer passages.\n\\end{bfseries}\n\n% Italic environment\n\\begin{itshape}\nThis entire paragraph is in italics. Every sentence here\nwill be italicized until we close the environment.\n\\end{itshape}\n\n% Typewriter environment\n\\begin{ttfamily}\nThis looks like computer code.\nAll text here is monospaced.\n\\end{ttfamily}\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-14/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from environments.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

## Declaration Commands

Alternative syntax using declarations:

<LatexSource filename="declarations.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\n% Declarations affect all following text\n{\\bfseries Bold text using declaration}\n\n{\\itshape Italic text using declaration}\n\n{\\bfseries\\itshape Bold and italic together}\n\n% Limiting scope with braces\nNormal text {\\sffamily sans serif text} normal again\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-15/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from declarations.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

## Common Use Cases

### Document Structure

<LatexSource filename="structure.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\n\\textbf{\\large 1. Introduction}\n\nThis section introduces the topic with \\emph{emphasis} on key concepts.\n\n\\textbf{Key Terms:}\n\\begin{itemize}\n\\item \\textbf{LaTeX:} A typesetting system\n\\item \\textbf{Markup:} Text with formatting codes\n\\item \\textbf{Compiler:} Processes \\texttt{.tex} files\n\\end{itemize}\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-16/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from structure.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

### Academic Writing

<LatexSource filename="academic.tex" source={"\\documentclass{article}\n\\begin{document}\n\nAccording to \\textit{Smith et al.} (2023), the results were\n\\textbf{statistically significant} (p < 0.05).\n\n\\emph{Note:} These findings contradict earlier work by\n\\textsc{Johnson} (2020).\n\n\\end{document}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-17/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from academic.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

## Best Practices

<Tip>
  **Formatting guidelines:**

  1. **Use sparingly** - Too much formatting reduces impact
  2. **Be consistent** - Use the same style for similar elements
  3. **Semantic meaning** - Use `\emph` for emphasis, not just italics
  4. **Avoid underlines** - Use bold or italic instead
  5. **Consider readers** - Some formats don't work well in all media
</Tip>

## Common Mistakes

<Warning>
  **Avoid these errors:**

  1. **Over-formatting** - Don't combine too many styles
  2. **Underline with descenders** - Looks messy with g, j, p, q, y
  3. **All caps** - Use `\textsc{}` for small caps instead
  4. **Forgetting braces** - `\textbf{text}` not `\textbf text`
  5. **Wrong nesting** - Close commands in reverse order
</Warning>

## Quick Reference Table

| Command            | Output      | Usage      |
| ------------------ | ----------- | ---------- |
| `\textbf{text}`    | **text**    | Bold       |
| `\textit{text}`    | *text*      | Italic     |
| `\underline{text}` | <u>text</u> | Underline  |
| `\emph{text}`      | *text*      | Emphasis   |
| `\textsc{text}`    | TEXT        | Small caps |
| `\texttt{text}`    | `text`      | Monospace  |
| `\textsf{text}`    | text        | Sans serif |
| `\textsl{text}`    | *text*      | Slanted    |

## Troubleshooting

### Text Not Formatting

Check for:

* Missing braces: `\textbf{text}` not `\textbf text`
* Typos in commands
* Missing packages for special formatting

### Nested Commands Not Working

Ensure proper nesting:

<LatexSource filename="example.tex" source={"% Correct\n\\textbf{\\textit{text}}\n\n% Incorrect\n\\textbf{\\textit{text}}"} />

<RenderedOutput title="Rendered output">
  <LatexPreview src="/images/rendered/learn-latex-basics-bold-italics-underlining-18/page-1.svg" alt="Compiled PDF page 1 from example.tex" caption="Generated from the shown source with pdfLaTeX in the pinned LaTeXCloud TeX Live 2026 environment. The visible fragment is compiled inside the documented minimal article wrapper." width={595.276} height={841.89} />
</RenderedOutput>

## Try Text Formatting in the Editor

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Open a formatting example" icon="cloud" href="https://app.latex-cloud-studio.com/?utm_source=resources&utm_medium=card&utm_campaign=docs_open_app&utm_content=bold_text_open_app">
    Paste the commands into a project and compile them to compare bold, italic, underline, and semantic emphasis.
  </Card>

  <Card title="See the online LaTeX editor" icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" href="https://www.latex-cloud-studio.com/online-latex-editor?utm_source=resources&utm_medium=related_product&utm_campaign=docs_to_website&utm_content=bold_text_online_editor">
    Review the browser editor workflow and current product capabilities.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<Info>
  **Next**: Learn how to create [Lists](/learn/latex/basics/lists) for organizing information effectively, or explore [Advanced text formatting](/learn/latex/text-formatting) for more sophisticated typography options.
</Info>