How to Write a Springer LNCS Paper in LaTeX

To write a Springer LNCS paper, use the official llncs document class: \documentclass{llncs}. Add the title and authors with \title, \author, and \institute, write the abstract and keywords, and use the splncs04 BibTeX style for references. LNCS requires this exact class, so start from the Springer template rather than reformatting a plain article.

Step by step

Use the llncs class

Get llncs.cls from Springer’s author kit and set \documentclass{llncs}.

Set title and authors

Use \title, \author, and \institute with affiliation indices.

Add abstract and keywords

The abstract environment followed by \keywords{...}.

Use splncs04 for references

Set \bibliographystyle{splncs04} with BibTeX.

Compile

pdflatex, bibtex, pdflatex, pdflatex.

Starter document

Springer’s Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) requires the llncs class from the official author kit. Do not reformat the article class — reviewers and the production team expect the exact LNCS layout.

\documentclass{llncs}
\usepackage{graphicx}
\begin{document}
\title{Your Paper Title}
\author{First Author\inst{1} \and Second Author\inst{2}}
\institute{University A \and University B}
\maketitle
\begin{abstract}
Your abstract here.
\keywords{First \and Second \and Third}
\end{abstract}
\section{Introduction}
...
\bibliographystyle{splncs04}
\bibliography{references}
\end{document}

Authors, affiliations, and references

Link authors to institutes with \inst{1} and the \and separator. LNCS mandates the splncs04 BibTeX style, which produces the compact numbered reference format Springer uses. Keep within the page limit stated in your call for papers.

Open the LNCS template in LetX and compile instantly, no local TeX install needed. Related: IEEE papers, writing a research paper.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I get the llncs class?

Download llncs.cls from Springer’s official LNCS author kit (the “LaTeX2e Proceedings Templates” page). It ships with the class, a sample paper, and the splncs04 bibliography style.

Which bibliography style does LNCS use?

LNCS uses splncs04 with BibTeX: \bibliographystyle{splncs04}. It produces the numbered reference format Springer requires.

How do I link authors to affiliations?

Use \author{Name\inst{1} \and Name\inst{2}} with a matching \institute{A \and B}. The \inst numbers map each author to an institute.