How to write the parallel symbol in LaTeX?

How to write the parallel symbol in LaTeX?

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This article aims to show you the simplest and easiest way to write the Parallel symbol in LaTeX.

Some symbols, you probably have never heard of, are more common than you may think in LaTeX and the parallel symbol is one of them. Today you will learn about it and how to insert it in your documents

Parallel Symbol or Vertical Bars

First of all, by definition this symbol or sign (either way is correct) is called the parallel operator, composed of two vertical bars next to each other. It is used in geometry to denote two straight lines at zero degree angles to each other, thus separated by the same distance through ist longitude. 

Parallel symbol in LaTeX : Two parallel lines. Image: author
Two parallel lines. Image: author

It is also a mathematical function common in electrical engineering, and in fluid mechanics, physics, and financial mathematics. The following symbols are used to express the operator.

Parallel symbol in LaTeX : One bar next to another one. Image: author
One bar next to another one. Image: author

Parallel Symbol in LaTeX

In LaTeX this expression is created by a built-in command, defined by \parallel, as you can see it does not require extra values as argument. By writing the command you generated both lines. There is another option to use, writing the symbol “|” twice to generate the output “||”.  

For example
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
\begin{center}
    First method \verb|\parallel|: $\parallel$ \\
    Second method \textbar\textbar: $||$
\end{center}
\end{document}
Parallel symbol in LaTeX : Two commands, same expression. Image: author
Two commands, same expression. Image: author

Absolute value with vertical bars

You may think “wait a minute, that symbol is just like the absolute value bars. Can I use it?” the answer is yes, and actually you can also use the same commands for the absolute value symbol for the parallel symbols. 

By writing “\|” we generated the absolute value/parallel symbol, let’s see it

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
\begin{center}
    Absolute value used as parallel $\backslash$\textbar: $\|$ \\
    Original command \verb|\parallel|: $\parallel$
\end{center}
\end{document}
Parallel symbol in LaTeX : Another available method. Image: author
Another available method. Image: author

Now, let’s say we do have something that is not parallel, in that case to write it in LaTeX we need to load the amssymb package in the preamble (the beginning of the document), then we call the command \nparallel, let’s see the output

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amssymb} %we load the package
\begin{document}
\begin{center}
    Parallel \verb|\parallel|: $\parallel$ \\
    Nonparallel \verb|\nparallel|: $\nparallel$ \\
    Shorter non parallel \verb|\nshortparallel|: $\nshortparallel$
\end{center}
\end{document}
Parallel symbol in LaTeX : Nonparallel commands. Image: author
Nonparallel commands. Image: author

Notes: you can also generate a shorter non parallel symbol with the command \nshortparallel, likewise you need the amssymb package. If you see the \textbar command, it is to write the character “|” in the text mode.

Now you have the knowledge to start writing the parallel symbol, with three methods. Remember your best ally is the internet so if you have doubts of whether a symbol exists in LaTeX, google it!

I hope this post was helpful, and as always keep writing in LaTeX.

All the images were created in LaTeX by the author.

Further Reading

LaTex Tutorial on Symbols

  1. How To Create A Cross Product Symbol In LaTeX
  2. How to create a hat symbol in LaTeX?
  3. How to create a prime symbol in LaTeX?
  4. How to create an absolute value symbol in LaTeX?
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  7. How to create the empty set symbol in LaTeX?
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  27. How To Write The Greater Than Or Equal To Symbol In LaTeX?
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  29. How to write the less than symbol in LaTeX?
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  31. How to write the percent symbol in LaTeX?
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  33. How To Write The Symbol For A Subset In LaTeX?
  34. How to write the symbol for therefore in LaTeX?
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Author
SJ Tsai
Chief Editor. Writer wrangler. Research guru. Three years at scijournal. Hails from a family with five PhDs. When not shaping content, creates art. Peek at the collection on Etsy. For thoughts and updates, hit up Twitter.

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