LaTeX counters control all automatic numbering in your document. This guide covers how to create custom counters, modify existing ones, and implement sophisticated numbering schemes for any document element.
Key concept: LaTeX uses counters to track numbers for sections, figures, tables, equations, and more. Understanding counters lets you create custom numbering schemes and control how elements are numbered throughout your document.Related topics: Page numbering | Cross-referencing | Document structure

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Understanding LaTeX Counters

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Built-in Counters

LaTeX provides many predefined counters:
CounterPurposeExample
pagePage numbers1, 2, 3…
chapterChapter numbers1, 2, 3…
sectionSection numbers1.1, 1.2, 2.1…
subsectionSubsection numbers1.1.1, 1.1.2…
figureFigure numbersFigure 1, Figure 2…
tableTable numbersTable 1, Table 2…
equationEquation numbers(1), (2), (3)…
footnoteFootnote numbers¹, ², ³…
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

% Display current counter values
Current page: \thepage

Current section: \thesection

Current figure: \thefigure

Current table: \thetable

% Show counter values in different formats
Page (arabic): \arabic{page}

Section (roman): \roman{section}

Chapter (Roman): \Roman{chapter}

\end{document}

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Counter Operations

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

% View current value
Current page counter: \thepage

% Set counter to specific value
\setcounter{page}{5}
New page value: \thepage

% Add to counter
\addtocounter{page}{3}
After adding 3: \thepage

% Step counter (increment by 1)
\stepcounter{page}
After stepping: \thepage

% Reset counter to zero
\setcounter{page}{0}
After reset: \thepage

\end{document}

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Creating Custom Counters

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Basic Counter Creation

\documentclass{article}

% Create new counters
\newcounter{example}
\newcounter{problem}
\newcounter{solution}

% Create counter that resets with another
\newcounter{subproblem}[problem]

\begin{document}

% Use custom counters
\stepcounter{example}
Example \theexample: This is the first example.

\stepcounter{example}
Example \theexample: This is the second example.

\stepcounter{problem}
Problem \theproblem: Solve this equation.

\stepcounter{subproblem}
Subproblem \theproblem.\thesubproblem: First part.

\stepcounter{subproblem}
Subproblem \theproblem.\thesubproblem: Second part.

\stepcounter{problem}
Problem \theproblem: New problem resets subproblem.

\stepcounter{subproblem}
Subproblem \theproblem.\thesubproblem: Starts at 1 again.

\end{document}

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Counter Display Formats

\documentclass{article}

\newcounter{demo}

% Redefine how counter is displayed
\renewcommand{\thedemo}{\Roman{demo}}

\begin{document}

% Default arabic format
\stepcounter{demo}
Demo \thedemo

% Change to alphabetic
\renewcommand{\thedemo}{\Alph{demo}}
\stepcounter{demo}
Demo \thedemo

% Change to roman numerals
\renewcommand{\thedemo}{\roman{demo}}
\stepcounter{demo}
Demo \thedemo

% Custom format with prefix/suffix
\renewcommand{\thedemo}{Example-\arabic{demo}}
\stepcounter{demo}
Demo \thedemo

% Complex format combining counters
\newcounter{chapter}
\newcounter{section}[chapter]
\renewcommand{\thesection}{\thechapter.\arabic{section}}

\setcounter{chapter}{3}
\stepcounter{section}
Section \thesection

\end{document}

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Advanced Counter Techniques

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Conditional Counter Reset

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{ifthen}

\newcounter{task}
\newcounter{step}

% Custom reset behavior
\newcommand{\newtask}{%
  \stepcounter{task}%
  \setcounter{step}{0}%
  \textbf{Task \thetask:}%
}

\newcommand{\newstep}{%
  \stepcounter{step}%
  \ifthenelse{\value{step}=1}%
    {Step \thestep:}%
    {Step \thestep:}%
}

\begin{document}

\newtask
\newstep First step of first task.
\newstep Second step of first task.

\newtask
\newstep First step of second task.
\newstep Second step of second task.
\newstep Third step of second task.

\end{document}

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Counter Dependencies

\documentclass{book}

% Create hierarchical counters
\newcounter{exercise}[chapter]
\newcounter{question}[exercise]
\newcounter{part}[question]

% Define display formats
\renewcommand{\theexercise}{\thechapter.\arabic{exercise}}
\renewcommand{\thequestion}{\theexercise.\arabic{question}}
\renewcommand{\thepart}{\thequestion(\alph{part})}

% Commands for easy use
\newcommand{\exercise}{%
  \stepcounter{exercise}%
  \setcounter{question}{0}%
  \textbf{Exercise \theexercise}%
}

\newcommand{\question}{%
  \stepcounter{question}%
  \setcounter{part}{0}%
  \par\textbf{Question \thequestion:}%
}

\newcommand{\part}{%
  \stepcounter{part}%
  \par(\thepart)%
}

\begin{document}

\chapter{Linear Algebra}

\exercise
\question What is a vector?
\part Define vector space.
\part Give three examples.

\question How do you add vectors?
\part Component-wise addition.
\part Geometric interpretation.

\exercise
\question What is a matrix?

\chapter{Calculus}

\exercise
\question What is a derivative?

\end{document}

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Custom Numbering Environments

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Creating Numbered Environments

\documentclass{article}

% Create counter for custom environment
\newcounter{theorem}[section]
\newcounter{lemma}[section]
\newcounter{corollary}[section]

% Define display format
\renewcommand{\thetheorem}{\thesection.\arabic{theorem}}
\renewcommand{\thelemma}{\thesection.\arabic{lemma}}
\renewcommand{\thecorollary}{\thesection.\arabic{corollary}}

% Create environments
\newenvironment{theorem}[1][]
{%
  \stepcounter{theorem}%
  \textbf{Theorem \thetheorem}%
  \ifthenelse{\equal{#1}{}}{}{ (#1)}%
  \textbf{.} \itshape%
}
{%
  \par\medskip%
}

\newenvironment{lemma}[1][]
{%
  \stepcounter{lemma}%
  \textbf{Lemma \thelemma}%
  \ifthenelse{\equal{#1}{}}{}{ (#1)}%
  \textbf{.} \itshape%
}
{%
  \par\medskip%
}

\begin{document}

\section{Basic Theory}

\begin{theorem}[Fundamental Theorem]
This is an important theorem in the first section.
\end{theorem}

\begin{lemma}
A supporting lemma for the theorem.
\end{lemma}

\begin{theorem}
Another theorem in the same section.
\end{theorem}

\section{Advanced Topics}

\begin{theorem}
New section resets the counter.
\end{theorem}

\end{document}

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Shared Counter Systems

\documentclass{article}

% Create shared counter for all theorem-like environments
\newcounter{theorem}[section]

% All environments share the same counter
\newenvironment{theorem}[1][]
{%
  \stepcounter{theorem}%
  \textbf{Theorem \thesection.\arabic{theorem}}%
  \ifthenelse{\equal{#1}{}}{}{ (#1)}%
  \textbf{.} \itshape%
}{\par\medskip}

\newenvironment{lemma}[1][]
{%
  \stepcounter{theorem}%
  \textbf{Lemma \thesection.\arabic{theorem}}%
  \ifthenelse{\equal{#1}{}}{}{ (#1)}%
  \textbf{.} \itshape%
}{\par\medskip}

\newenvironment{corollary}[1][]
{%
  \stepcounter{theorem}%
  \textbf{Corollary \thesection.\arabic{theorem}}%
  \ifthenelse{\equal{#1}{}}{}{ (#1)}%
  \textbf{.} \itshape%
}{\par\medskip}

\begin{document}

\section{Mathematical Results}

\begin{theorem}
First result.
\end{theorem}

\begin{lemma}
Supporting lemma numbered consecutively.
\end{lemma}

\begin{corollary}
Follows from the theorem.
\end{corollary}

\begin{theorem}
Fourth result in the sequence.
\end{theorem}

\end{document}

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List Numbering Customization

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Custom List Counters

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{enumitem}

% Create custom counter for special lists
\newcounter{priority}
\renewcommand{\thepriority}{P-\arabic{priority}}

% Define custom list
\newlist{prioritylist}{enumerate}{1}
\setlist[prioritylist]{%
  label=\stepcounter{priority}\thepriority:,
  ref=\thepriority
}

\begin{document}

\section{Project Tasks}

\begin{prioritylist}
\item High importance task
\item Medium importance task  
\item Low importance task
\end{prioritylist}

\section{Requirements}

\begin{prioritylist}[resume]
\item Continue numbering from previous list
\item Another requirement
\end{prioritylist}

% Reset counter for new project
\setcounter{priority}{0}

\section{New Project}

\begin{prioritylist}
\item First task of new project
\item Second task of new project
\end{prioritylist}

\end{document}

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Multi-Level Custom Numbering

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{enumitem}

% Create counters for hierarchical numbering
\newcounter{requirement}
\newcounter{subrequirement}[requirement]
\newcounter{detail}[subrequirement]

% Define display formats
\renewcommand{\therequirement}{R\arabic{requirement}}
\renewcommand{\thesubrequirement}{\therequirement.\arabic{subrequirement}}
\renewcommand{\thedetail}{\thesubrequirement.\alph{detail}}

% Custom environments
\newenvironment{requirements}
{\begin{enumerate}[label=\stepcounter{requirement}\therequirement:]}
{\end{enumerate}}

\newenvironment{subrequirements}
{\begin{enumerate}[label=\stepcounter{subrequirement}\thesubrequirement:]}
{\end{enumerate}}

\newenvironment{details}
{\begin{enumerate}[label=\stepcounter{detail}\thedetail)]}
{\end{enumerate}}

\begin{document}

\section{System Requirements}

\begin{requirements}
\item User Authentication
  \begin{subrequirements}
  \item Login functionality
    \begin{details}
    \item Username validation
    \item Password encryption
    \item Session management
    \end{details}
  \item Registration process
    \begin{details}
    \item Email verification
    \item Data validation
    \end{details}
  \end{subrequirements}

\item Data Management
  \begin{subrequirements}
  \item Database design
  \item Backup procedures
  \end{subrequirements}
\end{requirements}

\end{document}

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Cross-Counter References

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Referencing Custom Counters

\documentclass{article}

\newcounter{definition}[section]
\renewcommand{\thedefinition}{\thesection.\arabic{definition}}

\newenvironment{definition}[1][]
{%
  \stepcounter{definition}%
  \textbf{Definition \thedefinition}%
  \ifthenelse{\equal{#1}{}}{}{ (#1)}%
  \textbf{.} \itshape%
}
{\par\medskip}

\begin{document}

\section{Basic Concepts}

\begin{definition}[Vector Space]\label{def:vector-space}
A vector space is a collection of objects called vectors.
\end{definition}

\begin{definition}[Linear Independence]\label{def:linear-independence}
Vectors are linearly independent if no vector can be written as a linear combination of the others.
\end{definition}

\section{Applications}

In Definition~\ref{def:vector-space}, we established the concept of vector spaces. Building on Definition~\ref{def:linear-independence}, we can now discuss bases.

The relationship between Definition~\ref{def:vector-space} and Definition~\ref{def:linear-independence} is fundamental to linear algebra.

\end{document}

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Counter-Based Indexing

\documentclass{article}

% Create index counter system
\newcounter{item}
\newcounter{subitem}[item]

\renewcommand{\theitem}{\arabic{item}}
\renewcommand{\thesubitem}{\theitem.\arabic{subitem}}

% Commands for index entries
\newcommand{\indexitem}[2]{%
  \stepcounter{item}%
  \setcounter{subitem}{0}%
  \textbf{\theitem. #1} \dotfill #2\par%
}

\newcommand{\indexsubitem}[2]{%
  \stepcounter{subitem}%
  \quad\textbf{\thesubitem} #1 \dotfill #2\par%
}

\begin{document}

\section{Index}

\indexitem{Introduction}{Page 1}
\indexsubitem{Overview}{Page 1}
\indexsubitem{Scope}{Page 2}
\indexsubitem{Methodology}{Page 3}

\indexitem{Theory}{Page 5}
\indexsubitem{Basic Concepts}{Page 5}
\indexsubitem{Advanced Topics}{Page 8}

\indexitem{Applications}{Page 12}
\indexsubitem{Example 1}{Page 12}
\indexsubitem{Example 2}{Page 15}
\indexsubitem{Case Studies}{Page 18}

\end{document}

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Specialized Numbering Systems

\documentclass{article}

% Legal document counter system
\newcounter{article}
\newcounter{section}[article]
\newcounter{subsection}[section]
\newcounter{paragraph}[subsection]

% Custom display formats
\renewcommand{\thearticle}{\Roman{article}}
\renewcommand{\thesection}{\arabic{section}}
\renewcommand{\thesubsection}{\alph{subsection}}
\renewcommand{\theparagraph}{\roman{paragraph}}

% Commands for legal structure
\newcommand{\legalArticle}[1]{%
  \stepcounter{article}%
  \setcounter{section}{0}%
  \textbf{ARTICLE \thearticle}\par%
  \textbf{#1}\par\medskip%
}

\newcommand{\legalSection}[1]{%
  \stepcounter{section}%
  \setcounter{subsection}{0}%
  \textbf{Section \thearticle.\thesection.} #1\par%
}

\newcommand{\legalSubsection}[1]{%
  \stepcounter{subsection}%
  \setcounter{paragraph}{0}%
  \textbf{(\thesubsection)} #1\par%
}

\newcommand{\legalParagraph}[1]{%
  \stepcounter{paragraph}%
  \textbf{(\theparagraph)} #1\par%
}

\begin{document}

\legalArticle{GENERAL PROVISIONS}

\legalSection{Definitions}
\legalSubsection{In this document, unless the context otherwise requires:}
\legalParagraph{"Company" means the organization defined herein;}
\legalParagraph{"Agreement" refers to this contract;}
\legalParagraph{"Party" means any signatory to this agreement.}

\legalSection{Scope of Application}
\legalSubsection{This agreement applies to all parties involved.}

\legalArticle{TERMS AND CONDITIONS}

\legalSection{Obligations}
\legalSubsection{Each party shall:}
\legalParagraph{Fulfill their contractual obligations;}
\legalParagraph{Maintain confidentiality;}
\legalParagraph{Report any violations.}

\end{document}

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Scientific Paper Numbering

\documentclass{article}

% Scientific numbering system
\newcounter{hypothesis}
\newcounter{experiment}
\newcounter{observation}[experiment]
\newcounter{conclusion}

\renewcommand{\thehypothesis}{H\arabic{hypothesis}}
\renewcommand{\theexperiment}{E\arabic{experiment}}
\renewcommand{\theobservation}{\theexperiment.\arabic{observation}}
\renewcommand{\theconclusion}{C\arabic{conclusion}}

% Scientific environments
\newenvironment{hypothesis}[1][]
{%
  \stepcounter{hypothesis}%
  \textbf{Hypothesis \thehypothesis}%
  \ifthenelse{\equal{#1}{}}{}{ (#1)}%
  \textbf{:} \itshape%
}{\par\medskip}

\newenvironment{experiment}[1][]
{%
  \stepcounter{experiment}%
  \setcounter{observation}{0}%
  \textbf{Experiment \theexperiment}%
  \ifthenelse{\equal{#1}{}}{}{ (#1)}%
  \textbf{:}%
}{\par\medskip}

\newenvironment{observation}[1][]
{%
  \stepcounter{observation}%
  \textbf{Observation \theobservation}%
  \ifthenelse{\equal{#1}{}}{}{ (#1)}%
  \textbf{:} \itshape%
}{\par\medskip}

\begin{document}

\section{Research Methodology}

\begin{hypothesis}[Primary]
Increased temperature will accelerate the reaction rate.
\end{hypothesis}

\begin{hypothesis}[Secondary] 
Pressure changes will have minimal effect on the reaction.
\end{hypothesis}

\begin{experiment}[Temperature Study]
Conduct reaction at various temperatures.

\begin{observation}[25°C]
Reaction completed in 60 minutes.
\end{observation}

\begin{observation}[50°C]
Reaction completed in 30 minutes.
\end{observation}

\begin{observation}[75°C]
Reaction completed in 15 minutes.
\end{observation}
\end{experiment}

\begin{experiment}[Pressure Study]
Conduct reaction at various pressures.

\begin{observation}[1 atm]
Reaction rate unchanged from baseline.
\end{observation}

\begin{observation}[2 atm]
Minimal change in reaction rate.
\end{observation}
\end{experiment}

\end{document}

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Best Practices

Counter management guidelines:
  1. Plan your numbering scheme - Design consistent hierarchy before implementation
  2. Use descriptive counter names - problem is better than prob or p
  3. Reset appropriately - Child counters should reset when parent increments
  4. Document your system - Comment complex counter relationships
  5. Test thoroughly - Check numbering across document sections
  6. Consider references - Ensure counter formats work well with \ref{}

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Professional Counter Setup

\documentclass{report}

% Professional counter hierarchy
\newcounter{requirement}[chapter]
\newcounter{subrequirement}[requirement]
\newcounter{specification}[chapter]
\newcounter{testcase}[specification]

% Clear numbering formats
\renewcommand{\therequirement}{\thechapter.\arabic{requirement}}
\renewcommand{\thesubrequirement}{\therequirement.\arabic{subrequirement}}
\renewcommand{\thespecification}{\thechapter.\arabic{specification}}
\renewcommand{\thetestcase}{\thespecification.\arabic{testcase}}

% Consistent formatting commands
\newcommand{\Requirement}[1]{%
  \stepcounter{requirement}%
  \setcounter{subrequirement}{0}%
  \paragraph{Requirement \therequirement:} #1%
}

\newcommand{\SubRequirement}[1]{%
  \stepcounter{subrequirement}%
  \subparagraph{Requirement \thesubrequirement:} #1%
}

\newcommand{\Specification}[1]{%
  \stepcounter{specification}%
  \setcounter{testcase}{0}%
  \paragraph{Specification \thespecification:} #1%
}

\newcommand{\TestCase}[1]{%
  \stepcounter{testcase}%
  \subparagraph{Test Case \thetestcase:} #1%
}

\begin{document}

\chapter{User Interface Requirements}

\Requirement{The system shall provide a user-friendly interface.}
\SubRequirement{All buttons shall be clearly labeled.}
\SubRequirement{Navigation shall be intuitive.}

\Requirement{The interface shall be responsive.}
\SubRequirement{Layout shall adapt to screen size.}

\Specification{Login form implementation}
\TestCase{Valid credentials acceptance}
\TestCase{Invalid credentials rejection}

\Specification{Menu navigation implementation}
\TestCase{Menu accessibility}
\TestCase{Submenu functionality}

\chapter{Performance Requirements}

\Requirement{Response times shall be minimal.}
\SubRequirement{Page loads under 2 seconds.}
\SubRequirement{Database queries under 1 second.}

\end{document}

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Troubleshooting Counters

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Common Counter Issues

\documentclass{article}

% Problem: Counter not resetting properly
% Solution: Ensure proper counter dependency

\newcounter{main}
\newcounter{sub}[main]  % Correctly reset sub when main increments

% Problem: Wrong display format
% Solution: Check \renewcommand{\thecounter}

\renewcommand{\themain}{\arabic{main}}  % Correct format
\renewcommand{\thesub}{\themain.\arabic{sub}}

% Problem: Counter value not updating
% Solution: Use \stepcounter or \addtocounter

\newcommand{\newmain}{%
  \stepcounter{main}%  % Correct: increments counter
  % \setcounter{main}{\value{main}+1}  % Wrong: doesn't work
}

% Problem: References showing wrong number
% Solution: Ensure counter is stepped before labeling

\newcommand{\labeleditem}[1]{%
  \stepcounter{main}%  % Step BEFORE label
  \label{#1}%
  Item \themain%
}

\begin{document}

\newmain
Main item \themain

\stepcounter{sub}
Sub item \thesub

\newmain
Next main item (sub resets): \themain, \thesub

\labeleditem{item:first}
This can be referenced as \ref{item:first}.

\end{document}

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Quick Reference

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Essential Counter Commands

CommandPurposeExample
\newcounter{name}Create new counter\newcounter{example}
\newcounter{name}[parent]Create with reset dependency\newcounter{sub}[main]
\setcounter{name}{value}Set counter to value\setcounter{page}{1}
\addtocounter{name}{value}Add to counter\addtocounter{page}{5}
\stepcounter{name}Increment by 1\stepcounter{section}
\value{name}Get counter value\value{page}
\thenameDisplay counter\thepage

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Counter Display Formats

FormatCommandOutput Example
Arabic\arabic{counter}1, 2, 3, 4…
Roman (lower)\roman{counter}i, ii, iii, iv…
Roman (upper)\Roman{counter}I, II, III, IV…
Alphabetic (lower)\alph{counter}a, b, c, d…
Alphabetic (upper)\Alph{counter}A, B, C, D…
Next: Learn about Advanced code listings and minted for displaying source code, or explore Footnotes and margin notes for additional content placement.