HTML5 MathML Introduction

Last Updated : 27 Feb, 2025

Mathematical Markup Language (MathML) is an XML-based markup language designed to represent mathematical expressions and formulas on web pages.

It is an integral part of HTML5, allowing browsers to display mathematical content without the need for additional plugins or images.

Importance of MathML in HTML5

With the inclusion of MathML in HTML5, web developers and educators can seamlessly integrate mathematical notation into web pages, improving accessibility and readability. MathML provides a structured and semantic way to present mathematical content, ensuring it can be rendered properly across different devices and assistive technologies.

Example

HTML

<html>
<body>
    <p>Here is a simple fraction: 
        <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML">
            <mfrac>
                <mn>1</mn>
                <mn>2</mn>
            </mfrac>
        </math>
    </p>
</body>
</html>

<math>: Root element for MathML content.
<mfrac>: Represents a fraction.
<mn>: Numeric value (numerator/denominator).

MathML Tags

MathML (Mathematical Markup Language) provides a variety of tags to represent mathematical notations. Below is a list of commonly used MathML tags:

Tag	Description
MathML <math> tag	MathML element you want to use they should wrapped inside of the <math> tag.
MathML <maction> tag	This tag is used to show the bind action of any expression.
MathML <menclose> Tag	This tag is used to renders the contents which is inside of an enclosing notation specified by the notation attribute.
MathML <merror> Tag	This tag is used to wrap the expression in a box, makes that expression eye-catching.
MathML <mfenched> tag	This tag is used to add custom open and closing parentheses.
MathML <mfrac> tag	This tag is use to add fraction symbol between two digits or equations.
MathML <mglyph> Tag	This tag is used only for those characters or symbols that are not available on Unicode characters.
MathML <mi> Tag	This tag is used as an identifier such as any kind of symbol or function. You can put any statement inside this tag.
MathML <mlabeledtr> tag	This tag is used to represent a label in a row, either on the left or on the right side inside of the <mtable> element.
MathML <mmultiscripts> Tag	This tag is used to create multi-dimensional matrices. The degree depends on the conditionality of a representative array.
MathML <mn> Tag	THis tag is used to display a numeric character which is normally a sequence of digits with a possible separator.
MathML <mo> Tag	This tag is used print operator between elements. Any kind of mathematical operator can be used by this tag.
MathML <mover> Tag	This tag is used to attach an accent or a limit over an expression.
MathML <mpadded> Tag	This tag is used to add extra padding and to set the general adjustment of position and size of enclosed contents.
MathML <mphantom> Tag	It is used to rendered invisibly but the dimensional are still kept.
MathML <mroot> Tag	This tag is use to display the power of the root like root squire.
MathML <mrow> Tag	This tag is used to create a row that contains some mathematical expression or any random text.
MathML <ms> Tag	This tag is used to represent string that will represent the mathematical expression by programming languages and computer algebra systems.
MathML <mspace> Tag	This tag is used to print blank space. The size of the blank space has to be mentioned in the attributes.
MathML <msqrt> Tag	It is use to display the root squire of the element content.
MathML <style> Tag	It is an inbuilt tag in HTML5. This tag is used to change the styles of the children elements.
MathML <msub> Tag	It is used to print the base power on any expression.
MathML <msubsup> Tag	It is used to print base power and power on any expression.
MathML <msup> Tag	It is used to print power on any expression.
MathML <mtable> Tag	This tag is similar to the normal HTML <table> tag.
MathML <mtd> Tag	This tag is used to create table data of a table or the matrices in HTML5
MathML <mtext> Tag	This tag is used to print any text before after any expression.
MathML <mtr> Tag	This tag is used to create row of a table or the matrices in HTML5.
MathML <mth> Tag	This tag is used to create header of a table or the matrices in HTML5.
MathML <munder> Tag	This tag is used attach any accent or limit under the expression.
MathML <munderover> Tag	This tag is used attach any accent or limit under the expression plus over the expression.
MathML <semantics> Tag	This tag is used to markup the mathematics there are two possible ways to markup mathematics

Limitations:

MathML is not designed to perform calculations or solve equations; it solely serves to display mathematical expressions.
It is a markup language for representing mathematical notation, not a programming language.

Capabilities:

MathML can represent matrices, allowing for the structured display of rows and columns.
It can depict partial differential equations, facilitating the presentation of complex mathematical relationships.
MathML is capable of illustrating chemical reaction equations, enabling the clear representation of reactants and products.

More Examples of HTML5 MathML

Pythagorean Theorem Using MathML

html

<html >
<body>
    <p>The Pythagorean theorem states:</p>
    <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML">
        <mrow>
            <msup><mi>a</mi><mn>2</mn></msup>
            <mo>+</mo>
            <msup><mi>b</mi><mn>2</mn></msup>
            <mo>=</mo>
            <msup><mi>c</mi><mn>2</mn></msup>
        </mrow>
    </math>
</body>
</html>

In this example,

The <msup> element is used to create superscripts, representing the squares of sides 'a', 'b', and 'c'.
The <mo> element denotes operators, such as '+' and '=', to construct the equation.

Chemical Reaction Equation Using MathML

HTML

<html>
<body>
    <p>A simple chemical reaction:</p>
    <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML">
        <mrow>
            <msub><mtext>Zn</mtext></msub>
            <mo>+</mo>
            <msub><mrow><mtext>CuSO</mtext><mn>4</mn></mrow></msub>
            <mo>&#x2192;</mo>
            <msub><mrow><mtext>ZnSO</mtext><mn>4</mn></mrow></msub>
            <mo>+</mo>
            <msub><mtext>Cu</mtext></msub>
        </mrow>
    </math>
</body>
</html>

In this example,

The <msub> element is used to add subscripts, representing chemical formulas like 'CuSO₄' and 'ZnSO₄'.
The arrow symbol (→) indicates the direction of the chemical reaction.

Best Practices for Using MathML in HTML5

Use the <math> Tag: Always encapsulate MathML content within the <math> element to ensure proper rendering and semantic clarity.
Validate MathML Code: Regularly validate your MathML markup using tools like the W3C MathML Validator to maintain correctness and compatibility.

HTML5 MathML <math> tag

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Article Tags :

HTML5 MathML Introduction

Importance of MathML in HTML5

Example

MathML Tags

Limitations:

Capabilities:

Pythagorean Theorem Using MathML

Chemical Reaction Equation Using MathML

Best Practices for Using MathML in HTML5

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MathML Tags

MathML Attributes

Complete References

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