LaTeX to PDF
Write or open a .tex file and see it rendered as you type: sections, lists, tables, figures, theorems and math (drawn with KaTeX). Download PDF saves that rendered document through your browser's Save as PDF option. It is a fast previewer for common LaTeX, not a full TeX engine.
Last updated:
Download PDF opens your browser’s print window with only the rendered document. Choose Save as PDF (or “Microsoft Print to PDF”) as the destination, and turn off “Headers and footers” for a clean page.
Preview notes
No problems found.
The preview is a built-in renderer for common LaTeX (sections, lists, tables, figures, theorems, footnotes, references and KaTeX math), not a full TeX engine: line and page breaks follow the browser, and custom packages, BibTeX and exact LaTeX layout are not supported. For those, compile with a desktop TeX distribution (TeX Live, MiKTeX, MacTeX) or an online LaTeX service.
How to use the LaTeX to PDF
- Write your LaTeX in the editor, pick a template or press Open .tex to load a file.
- Add images (PNG or JPG) your document uses with \includegraphics, or extra .tex files for \input.
- Check the live preview and open Preview notes to see any commands the preview skipped.
- Choose paper size and margins, then press Download PDF.
- In the print window choose Save as PDF as the destination (turn off headers and footers) and press Save. Use Download .tex to keep the source.
Minimal LaTeX document
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
\section{Introduction}
Einstein's relation $E = mc^2$ links mass and energy.
\begin{equation}
\int_0^1 x^2 \, dx = \frac{1}{3}
\end{equation}
\end{document}
Everything before \begin{document} is the preamble: the document class and the packages. Everything between \begin{document} and \end{document} is typeset.
Quick reference
| You want | Write |
|---|---|
| Title block | \title{…} \author{…} \date{…} in the preamble, then \maketitle |
| Headings | \section{…}, \subsection{…}, \subsubsection{…} (add * for no number) |
| Bold, italic, monospace | \textbf{…}, \emph{…}, \texttt{…} |
| Inline / display math | $a^2+b^2=c^2$ / \[ … \] or \begin{equation} … \end{equation} |
| Aligned equations | \begin{align} a &= b \\ c &= d \end{align} |
| Lists | \begin{itemize} \item … \end{itemize} (or enumerate, description) |
| Table | \begin{tabular}{lcr} a & b & c \\ \hline \end{tabular} |
| Image | \includegraphics[width=0.6\textwidth]{photo.png} (needs \usepackage{graphicx}) |
| Cross-reference | \label{sec:intro} then \ref{sec:intro} |
| Footnote, link | \footnote{…}, \href{https://…}{text} (with hyperref) |
| Special characters | \% \$ \& \# \_ \{ \}, \textbackslash |
What the preview supports
This tool is a LaTeX previewer, not a TeX compiler. It reads your source, turns the common commands into a formatted page and draws math with KaTeX. The PDF you download is a print of that page, so it looks close to a LaTeX article but the fonts, line breaks and page breaks come from your browser.
| Area | Supported in the preview and PDF | Not supported |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | \maketitle, sections to \paragraph, numbering, \tableofcontents, \newpage, \clearpage | Exact page layout, headers/footers from fancyhdr |
| Text | Bold, italic, monospace, small caps, sizes, colors, links, footnotes, quotes, centering, verbatim | Custom fonts (fontspec), microtype |
| Math | Inline and display math, equation, align, gather, matrices, \newcommand and \DeclareMathOperator (KaTeX) | Rare math packages KaTeX does not implement |
| Lists and tables | itemize, enumerate, description, tabular with \hline, vertical rules, \multicolumn, booktabs rules | longtable page splitting, tabularx widths |
| Figures | \includegraphics with PNG/JPG images you add, captions, \label/\ref | PDF/EPS images, TikZ, pgfplots |
| References | thebibliography with \bibitem and \cite, theorems and proofs | BibTeX/biblatex (.bib files), custom .sty/.cls files |
When a document relies on features in the right-hand column, compile it with a full TeX distribution (TeX Live, MiKTeX or MacTeX with pdflatex) or an online LaTeX service. Commands the preview skips are listed under Preview notes.
Saving a clean PDF
- Chrome, Edge, Brave: Destination → Save as PDF. Under More settings, untick Headers and footers; keep Background graphics on if you use colored boxes.
- Firefox: Destination → Save to PDF, then untick Print headers and footers.
- Safari (Mac): press PDF in the lower-left corner → Save as PDF.
- iPhone and iPad: in the print preview, use the Share button to save the PDF to Files.
- Windows printers list: Microsoft Print to PDF also works.
The paper size and margins you choose in the tool are passed to the print window; if your browser still shows a different size, pick the same paper size there.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a LaTeX file to PDF here?
Paste your source or press Open .tex, add any PNG/JPG images it uses, check the live preview, then press Download PDF. Your browser's print window opens with only the rendered document; choose Save as PDF as the destination and press Save.
Is this a real LaTeX compiler?
No. The tool uses a built-in renderer that converts common LaTeX commands to a web page and draws math with KaTeX. The PDF is a print of that preview, so fonts, line breaks and page breaks are decided by your browser, not by TeX. For exact LaTeX typesetting use a desktop TeX distribution such as TeX Live, MiKTeX or MacTeX, or an online LaTeX service.
Which LaTeX features does the preview support?
Title, author and date with \maketitle; sections and subsections with numbering; \tableofcontents; bold, italic, monospace, small caps, colors and links; itemize, enumerate and description lists; tabular tables with lines and \multicolumn; figures with \includegraphics and captions; \label and \ref; footnotes; theorem, proof, abstract, quote, center and verbatim environments; thebibliography with \cite; and math via KaTeX, including equation, align, gather, matrices and your own \newcommand macros.
What does not work?
Custom or rare packages (TikZ, pgfplots, minted, custom .cls/.sty files), BibTeX or biblatex (\bibliography and .bib files), PDF or EPS images, and exact LaTeX page layout. Unsupported commands are skipped and listed under Preview notes. Use a full TeX installation or an online LaTeX service for those documents.
Is my document uploaded to a server?
No. The preview and the PDF are both created in your browser. Only the KaTeX math library is downloaded from a public CDN; your text and images never leave your device.
How do I start a new page in the PDF?
Write \newpage or \clearpage where you want the break. The preview shows a dashed page-break line there, and the PDF starts a new page. Equations, tables and figures are kept together instead of being split across pages.
Why does the PDF have a date or web address at the top?
Those are the browser's print headers and footers. In the print window open More settings and turn off Headers and footers, then save again.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.