How to Make a Table in LaTeX
Updated June 2026
To make a table in LaTeX, use the tabular environment: \begin{tabular}{|c|c|} defines two centered columns with vertical borders, rows are separated by \\, columns by &, and \hline draws horizontal lines. Wrap it in a table environment to add a caption and label. LetX previews the result instantly as you type.
Step by step
- 1
Open tabular
Use \begin{tabular}{|l|c|r|} — l/c/r set left, center, right alignment per column; | adds vertical lines.
- 2
Add rows
Separate cells with & and end each row with \\.
- 3
Add lines
Use \hline between rows for horizontal borders.
- 4
Add a caption
Wrap in a table environment with \caption{...} and \label{tab:...}.
- 5
Compile
Compile to PDF to see the formatted table. LetX renders it in 1–2 seconds.
Example
\begin{table}[h]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{|l|c|r|}
\hline
Item & Qty & Price \\
\hline
Pen & 3 & 1.50 \\
Notebook & 1 & 4.00 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\caption{Order summary.}
\label{tab:order}
\end{table}For professional tables, the booktabs package (\toprule, \midrule,\bottomrule) looks far better than vertical lines and is the academic standard.
Frequently asked questions
How do I merge cells in a LaTeX table?
Use \multicolumn{2}{c}{text} to span columns, and the multirow package with \multirow{2}{*}{text} to span rows.
How do I make a table wider than the page?
Use the tabularx package with \begin{tabularx}{\textwidth}{...} and an X column type to auto-fit, or rotate it with the rotating package.
What is the best LaTeX table style?
The booktabs package is the academic standard: use \toprule, \midrule, \bottomrule and avoid vertical lines for clean, readable tables.
Try this in LetX now
Open the editor, paste the example, and compile in 1–2 seconds — free, in your browser.
Start Writing Free