LaTeX documentclass Guide: article, report, book, beamer and more

Learn the LaTeX \documentclass command, common class options, and when to use article, report, book, beamer, letter, and other document classes.

The \documentclass command is the first line of nearly every LaTeX document. It tells LaTeX what kind of document you are writing, which structural commands are available, and which default layout rules to apply.

Quick answer: use article for papers and assignments, report for longer reports and shorter theses, book for books and large dissertations, beamer for slides, and letter for formal letters.

The \documentclass Command

This is the basic syntax:

Code

\documentclass[options]{class}

• class is the document class such as article, report, or book
• options are optional settings such as font size, paper size, or one-sided vs two-sided layout

\documentclass[12pt,a4paper,twoside]{report}

Rendered output

Report Title

12pt body text on A4 paper | two-sided layout

Chapter 1 Introduction

The selected document class determines the page size, available structure, and default typography before the rest of the document is processed.

Which Document Class Should You Use?

Class	Best for	Key difference
article	Essays, homework, journal papers	No \chapter command
report	Technical reports, shorter theses, project docs	Supports chapters
book	Books, dissertations, long manuals	Adds front matter and two-sided book layout
beamer	Slides and presentations	Uses frames instead of pages
letter	Formal letters	Purpose-built letter structure

Standard Document Classes

article

For short documents without chapters.

Code

article-class.tex

\documentclass[options]{article}

% Best for:
% - Research papers
% - Journal articles
% - Reports (short)
% - Homework assignments
% - Essays

% Structure hierarchy:
% \section{}
% \subsection{}
% \subsubsection{}
% \paragraph{}
% \subparagraph{}

\begin{document}
\title{Article Title}
\author{Author Name}
\date{\today}
\maketitle

\begin{abstract}
Abstract content for articles.
\end{abstract}

\section{Introduction}
Article content starts here.

\section{Main Content}
More sections as needed.

\section{Conclusion}
Final thoughts.

\end{document}

Rendered output

Article Title

Author Name

April 2026

Abstract. Abstract content for articles.

1 Introduction

Article content starts here with section-based structure and no chapter heading.

2 Main Content

Short papers and assignments usually fit naturally into this layout.

Article Features:

• No \chapter command
• Abstract environment available
• Compact formatting
• Good for papers under 20-30 pages

report

For longer documents with chapters.

Code

report-class.tex

\documentclass[options]{report}

% Best for:
% - Technical reports
% - Theses (shorter)
% - Project documentation
% - Lab reports
% - User manuals

% Structure hierarchy:
% \chapter{}
% \section{}
% \subsection{}
% \subsubsection{}
% \paragraph{}
% \subparagraph{}

\begin{document}
\title{Report Title}
\author{Author Name}
\date{\today}
\maketitle

\begin{abstract}
Abstract for reports.
\end{abstract}

\tableofcontents

\chapter{Introduction}
First chapter content.

\chapter{Methodology}
Second chapter content.

\chapter{Results}
Third chapter content.

\chapter{Conclusion}
Final chapter content.

\end{document}

Rendered output

Report Title

Author Name

Title page followed by a table of contents

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Methodology

3 Results

Chapter 1 Introduction

Reports add chapter-level structure for longer documents.

Report Features:

• \chapter command available
• Abstract environment included
• Separate title page by default
• Good for documents 20-100 pages

book

For books and very long documents.

Code

book-class.tex

\documentclass[options]{book}

% Best for:
% - Books
% - Long theses/dissertations
% - Textbooks
% - Multi-volume works
% - Complex documents

% Structure hierarchy:
% \part{}
% \chapter{}
% \section{}
% \subsection{}
% \subsubsection{}
% \paragraph{}
% \subparagraph{}

\begin{document}

\frontmatter  % Roman page numbers, no chapter numbers
\title{Book Title}
\author{Author Name}
\date{\today}
\maketitle

\tableofcontents
\listoffigures
\listoftables

\mainmatter   % Arabic page numbers, normal numbering
\part{First Part}

\chapter{Introduction}
Chapter content begins here.

\chapter{Background}
More content here.

\backmatter   % No chapter numbers
\appendix
\chapter{Additional Information}

\bibliographystyle{plain}
\bibliography{references}

\end{document}

Rendered output

Book Title

Author Name

Front matter in Roman numerals | main matter in Arabic numerals

Part I

Chapter 1 Introduction

Books use chapters, parts, and dedicated front and back matter for long-form work.

Appendices and bibliography appear in the back matter.

Book Features:

• Two-sided layout by default
• Front matter, main matter, back matter
• Parts and chapters available
• Best for 100+ page documents

beamer

For presentations and slides.

Code

beamer-class.tex

\documentclass[options]{beamer}

% Best for:
% - Conference presentations
% - Lecture slides
% - Academic talks
% - Business presentations

% Slide structure:
% \frame{} or \begin{frame}...\end{frame}
% \section{} for navigation
% \subsection{} for organization

\usetheme{Warsaw}  % Choose theme
\usecolortheme{dolphin}  % Choose colors

\title{Presentation Title}
\author{Author Name}
\institute{Institution}
\date{\today}

\begin{document}

\frame{\titlepage}

\begin{frame}
\frametitle{Outline}
\tableofcontents
\end{frame}

\section{Introduction}
\begin{frame}
\frametitle{Introduction}
\begin{itemize}
  \item First point
  \item Second point
  \item<2-> This appears on second click
\end{itemize}
\end{frame}

\section{Main Content}
\begin{frame}
\frametitle{Main Points}
Content of the slide here.
\end{frame}

\end{document}

Rendered output

Presentation Title

Introduction

• First point
• Second point
• Overlay item appears on the next click

Beamer Features:

• Built-in themes and color schemes
• Overlay specifications for animations
• Navigation aids
• PDF presentation format

letter

For correspondence.

Code

letter-class.tex

\documentclass[options]{letter}

% Best for:
% - Business letters
% - Formal correspondence
% - Cover letters
% - Official documents

\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}

\signature{Your Name}
\address{Your Address\\City, State ZIP}

\begin{document}

\begin{letter}{Recipient Name\\Recipient Address\\City, State ZIP}

\opening{Dear Sir or Madam,}

Body of the letter goes here. Multiple paragraphs
are separated by blank lines.

This is the second paragraph of the letter.

\closing{Sincerely,}

\ps{P.S. Additional note here.}

\encl{Enclosure list}

\end{letter}
\end{document}

Rendered output

Your Address
City, State ZIP

March 27, 2026

Dear Sir or Madam,

Body of the letter goes here. Multiple paragraphs are separated by blank lines.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Encl: Enclosure list

Letter Features:

• Automatic formatting for addresses
• Date insertion
• Signature placement
• Standard letter conventions

Document Class Options

Font Size Options

Code

font-size-options.tex

% Available font sizes
\documentclass[10pt]{article}  % 10pt (default)
\documentclass[11pt]{article}  % 11pt
\documentclass[12pt]{article}  % 12pt

% Font size affects:
% - Body text size
% - Section heading sizes
% - Math formula sizes
% - Footnote sizes

Rendered output

10pt

This is the default article text size.

11pt

This size gives slightly more breathing room for body text.

12pt

This version is more spacious and is common in reports and theses.

Paper Size Options

Code

paper-size-options.tex

% US paper sizes
\documentclass[letterpaper]{article}  % 8.5 × 11 inches (default)
\documentclass[legalpaper]{article}   % 8.5 × 14 inches
\documentclass[executivepaper]{article} % 7.25 × 10.5 inches

% International paper sizes
\documentclass[a4paper]{article}      % 210 × 297 mm
\documentclass[a5paper]{article}      % 148 × 210 mm
\documentclass[b5paper]{article}      % 176 × 250 mm

% Custom paper size (with geometry package)
\usepackage[paperwidth=8in,paperheight=10in]{geometry}

Rendered output

letterpaper	8.5 × 11 in
legalpaper	8.5 × 14 in
a4paper	210 × 297 mm
a5paper	148 × 210 mm

Changing the paper option changes the physical page size before margins and layout are computed.

Layout Options

Code

layout-options.tex

% Page orientation
\documentclass[landscape]{article}    % Landscape orientation
\documentclass[portrait]{article}     % Portrait (default)

% Columns
\documentclass[onecolumn]{article}    % Single column (default)
\documentclass[twocolumn]{article}    % Two columns

% Sides
\documentclass[oneside]{article}      % Single-sided (default for article)
\documentclass[twoside]{book}         % Double-sided (default for book)

% Draft mode
\documentclass[draft]{article}        % Shows overfull boxes, faster compilation
\documentclass[final]{article}        % Final mode (default)

Rendered output

One column

Single wide text block for standard articles.

Two column

Narrower columns for paper-style layouts and proceedings.

Draft mode also marks overfull lines and suppresses final-quality figures.

Title Page Options

Code

title-options.tex

% Title page behavior
\documentclass[titlepage]{article}    % Separate title page
\documentclass[notitlepage]{report}   % Title on first page

% Abstract behavior (for article)
\documentclass[onecolumn]{article}    % Abstract spans full width
\documentclass[twocolumn]{article}    % Abstract spans both columns

Rendered output

Document Title

Separate title page enabled

With titlepage, the title sits on its own page before the document body starts.

Equation Options

Code

equation-options.tex

% Equation numbering
\documentclass[leqno]{article}        % Equation numbers on left
\documentclass[reqno]{article}        % Equation numbers on right (default)

% Equation formatting
\documentclass[fleqn]{article}        % Left-aligned equations
% Default: centered equations

Rendered output

(1)E = mc²

a² + b² = c² (2)

Class options such as leqno, reqno, and fleqn shift numbering and alignment in the compiled math layout.

Bibliography Options

Code

bibliography-options.tex

% Bibliography formatting
\documentclass[openbib]{article}      % Open bibliography format
% Default: closed bibliography format

Rendered output

References

[1] D. Knuth. The TeXbook. Addison-Wesley, 1984.

[2] L. Lamport. LaTeX: A Document Preparation System. Addison-Wesley, 1994.

Open bibliography formatting adds more vertical space between entries for readability.

Custom Document Classes

Creating Custom Classes

Code

custom-class.cls

% File: myclass.cls
\NeedsTeXFormat{LaTeX2e}
\ProvidesClass{myclass}[2024/01/01 My Custom Class]

% Based on article class
\LoadClass[11pt,a4paper]{article}

% Required packages
\RequirePackage{geometry}
\RequirePackage{fancyhdr}
\RequirePackage{graphicx}

% Page layout
\geometry{margin=1in}

% Custom commands
\newcommand{\institution}[1]{\def\@institution{#1}}
\newcommand{\course}[1]{\def\@course{#1}}

% Custom title format
\renewcommand{\maketitle}{
  \begin{center}
    {\LARGE\bfseries\@title}\\[1em]
    {\large\@author}\\
    {\large\@institution}\\
    {\large\@course}\\
    {\large\@date}
  \end{center}
}

Rendered output

Assignment Title

Student Name

University Name

Course Code

Custom classes make repeated institutional formatting automatic.

Academic Document Classes

Thesis Classes

Code

thesis-classes.tex

% University-specific thesis classes
\documentclass{phdthesis}     % PhD thesis
\documentclass{msthesis}      % Master's thesis
\documentclass{ucthesis}      % UC system thesis

% Generic thesis classes
\documentclass[thesis]{memoir}
\documentclass{scrbook}       % KOMA-Script book class

% Configuration example
\documentclass[12pt,oneside,openright]{report}
\usepackage[margin=1.5in,left=2in]{geometry}
\usepackage{setspace}
\doublespacing

Rendered output

Dissertation Title

A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty

University Name | Department Name

Thesis layouts usually use wider margins, double spacing, and stricter front-matter requirements.

Journal Classes

Code

journal-classes.tex

% IEEE papers
\documentclass{IEEEtran}

% ACM papers
\documentclass{acmart}

% Springer papers
\documentclass{llncs}         % Lecture Notes in Computer Science
\documentclass{svjour3}       % Springer journals

% Elsevier papers
\documentclass{elsarticle}

% AMS papers
\documentclass{amsart}

Rendered output

Journal Manuscript Title

Structured abstract, compact margins, and two-column typesetting are common in journal templates.

Specialized classes such as IEEEtran, acmart, and elsarticle impose publisher-specific typography and metadata requirements.

The compiled PDF usually includes a title block, affiliation lines, and a tuned bibliography style that standard classes do not reproduce by default.

KOMA-Script Classes

Alternative to standard classes with enhanced features:

Code

koma-script.tex

% KOMA-Script equivalents
\documentclass{scrartcl}      % Instead of article
\documentclass{scrreprt}      % Instead of report
\documentclass{scrbook}       % Instead of book
\documentclass{scrlttr2}      % Instead of letter

% Enhanced features
\documentclass[
  fontsize=11pt,
  paper=a4,
  twoside=false,
  titlepage=false,
  headings=small
]{scrartcl}

% KOMA options
\KOMAoptions{
  DIV=12,                     % Text area calculation
  BCOR=8mm,                   % Binding correction
  headinclude=true,           % Include header in text area
  footinclude=false           % Exclude footer from text area
}

Rendered output

KOMA-Script Article

Balanced margins, tuned heading sizes, and configurable type area

Introduction

KOMA-Script classes are often chosen when you want better European defaults and more layout controls without building a custom class from scratch.

Memoir Class

Highly customizable class for books and articles:

Code

memoir-class.tex

\documentclass[11pt,a4paper,oneside]{memoir}

% Page layout
\settrimmedsize{297mm}{210mm}{*}  % A4 paper
\setlength{\trimtop}{0pt}
\setlength{\trimedge}{\stockwidth}
\addtolength{\trimedge}{-\paperwidth}
\settypeblocksize{634pt}{448.13pt}{*}
\setulmargins{4cm}{*}{*}
\setlrmargins{2.5cm}{*}{*}
\checkandfixthelayout

% Chapter styles
\chapterstyle{veelo}          % Pre-defined style
% or create custom style
\makechapterstyle{custom}{
  \renewcommand{\chapternamenum}{}
  \renewcommand{\printchaptername}{}
  \renewcommand{\printchapternum}{\chapnumfont\thechapter\space}
  \renewcommand{\afterchapternum}{}
}

Rendered output

Chapter opener

1 Introduction

Memoir combines layout control, chapter styling, and book-structure tools in one class for long, highly customized documents.

Document Class Comparison

When to Use Each Class

article

Best for:

• Research papers (5-30 pages)
• Journal submissions
• Conference papers
• Technical reports
• Essays and assignments

Features:

• No chapters
• Compact layout
• Abstract support
• Bibliography integration

report

Best for:

• Technical reports (20-100 pages)
• Master’s theses
• Project documentation
• Lab reports
• User manuals

Features:

• Chapter support
• Title page by default
• Abstract support
• Good for structured documents

book

Best for:

• Books (100+ pages)
• PhD dissertations
• Textbooks
• Reference manuals
• Multi-volume works

Features:

• Two-sided by default
• Front/main/back matter
• Parts and chapters
• Professional typography

beamer

Best for:

• Academic presentations
• Conference talks
• Lecture slides
• Business presentations

Features:

• Frame-based content
• Themes and animations
• Navigation tools
• PDF output optimized for projection

Best Practices

Document class selection tips:

1. Start with standard classes - They’re well-tested and widely supported
2. Consider document length - Article for short, report for medium, book for long
3. Check submission requirements - Journals often require specific classes
4. Use options wisely - Don’t override default typography without good reason
5. Test compilation early - Ensure your chosen class works with your packages
6. Read class documentation - Each class has specific features and commands

Quick Reference

Standard Classes Summary

Class	Purpose	Length	Chapters	Default Layout
article	Papers, reports	Short	No	One-sided
report	Technical reports	Medium	Yes	One-sided
book	Books, theses	Long	Yes	Two-sided
beamer	Presentations	N/A	No	Slides
letter	Correspondence	Short	No	Letter format

Common Options Summary

Option	Effect	Classes
10pt, 11pt, 12pt	Font size	All
a4paper, letterpaper	Paper size	All (except beamer)
oneside, twoside	Page layout	All (except beamer)
onecolumn, twocolumn	Column layout	article, report
titlepage, notitlepage	Title page	article, report
draft, final	Draft mode	All

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Next: Learn about LaTeX Packages to extend document functionality, or explore Document Structure for hands-on examples.