LaTeX Rightarrow: \rightarrow, \to, \Rightarrow and Labelled Arrows

Short answer: in LaTeX, type \rightarrow (or its short form \to) inside math mode to get a right arrow (→). For an implication arrow (⇒) use \Rightarrow; for a “maps to” arrow (↦) use \mapsto; and for an arrow with a label above or below it, use \xrightarrow from the amsmath package. This page is for researchers and analysts who write papers, theses and supplementary material in LaTeX and need the right arrow for the job.

What it is used for in research

The plain right arrow appears in function signatures (f: A \rightarrow B), in limits (x \to 0), and in reaction schemes and process diagrams written in running math. Choosing among arrow commands matters because they carry different meanings: a single-line arrow denotes a mapping or a limit, a double-line arrow is conventionally read as implication, and an arrow with an attached label annotates the step it represents. Wikibooks’ LaTeX mathematics reference lists \rightarrow or \to (→), \mapsto (↦), and \Rightarrow (⇒) as separate entries in its set and logic notation table (read 2026-11-07).

Install or access (official source only)

\rightarrow, \to, \Rightarrow and \mapsto are available in math mode of a standard LaTeX installation, with the Wikibooks table above listing them without any package requirement. The labelled-arrow commands \xleftarrow and \xrightarrow come from the amsmath package, which CTAN lists as part of the LaTeX required distribution (current version 2.17z, dated 2025-07-09, LPPL 1.3c; ctan.org/pkg/amsmath, read 2026-11-07). Load it in the preamble:

\usepackage{amsmath}

The package documentation is amsldoc.pdf, the AMS-LaTeX user guide, distributed on CTAN.

Step-by-step task

1. Insert a basic right arrow (\rightarrow or \to)

1. Enter math mode: inline with $ ... $, or in a display such as \[ ... \] or an equation environment.
2. Type \rightarrow or \to. Both give the same arrow (→).

$f\colon A \rightarrow B$
$x \to 0$

2. Choose the double arrow or maps-to arrow

1. For implication, type \Rightarrow (⇒).
2. For the “maps to” arrow, type \mapsto (↦), as in x \mapsto x^2.

3. Add a label to the arrow with \xrightarrow

1. Add \usepackage{amsmath} to the preamble.
2. Write \xrightarrow{superscript} for a label above the arrow, or \xrightarrow[subscript]{superscript} to add a label below as well.

The AMS-LaTeX user guide (section 4.9, “Extensible arrows”) states that \xleftarrow and \xrightarrow “produce arrows that extend automatically to accommodate unusually wide subscripts or superscripts”, and that they take one optional argument (the subscript) and one mandatory argument (the superscript, possibly empty). Its own example is \xrightarrow[T]{n\pm i-1}.

4. Do not confuse \rightarrow with \overrightarrow

\overrightarrow{AB} places an arrow over its argument, which is the notation for a vector, whereas \rightarrow is a stand-alone symbol. The AMS-LaTeX guide notes that basic LaTeX provides \overrightarrow and \overleftarrow, and that amsmath adds further over- and under-arrow commands: \overleftrightarrow, \underleftarrow, \underrightarrow and \underleftrightarrow. For vector notation in practice, see vectors and vector products in LaTeX.

Output and how to read it

You type	You get	Typical reading
\rightarrow or \to	→	Function or mapping from one set to another; a limit (as in x \to 0)
\Rightarrow	⇒	Implication (double-line arrow)
\mapsto	↦	“Maps to” for an individual element or expression
\xrightarrow[below]{above}	→ with labels	Arrow extended to fit its label (needs amsmath)
\overrightarrow{AB}	arrow over AB	Vector notation, not a relation symbol

The “typical reading” column describes common mathematical convention (editorial interpretation); the command names and the glyphs they produce come from the sources listed below. Journal style files and house styles can prescribe their own usage, so follow the target journal’s author instructions where they differ.

Troubleshooting

• “Missing $ inserted” or similar math-mode error: arrow commands such as \rightarrow are math-mode symbols. Put them inside $ ... $, \( ... \), or a display math environment. To use an arrow in plain text, wrap just the arrow: \ensuremath{\rightarrow}.
• “Undefined control sequence” on \xrightarrow: the amsmath package is not loaded. Add \usepackage{amsmath} to the preamble.
• Label overflows or looks cramped: use \xrightarrow rather than stacking text over \rightarrow; per the AMS-LaTeX guide, it extends automatically to fit wide labels.
• Arrow reads as a vector: if you used \overrightarrow where you wanted a relation symbol, switch to \rightarrow or \to.

Related symbol pages: math signs in LaTeX, subset symbols in LaTeX, the therefore symbol in LaTeX, and greater-than and comparison symbols in LaTeX.

Free alternatives (table)

LaTeX has no paid tier for these symbols: they are all free parts of LaTeX or amsmath (LPPL licence). The table compares the arrow commands that are alternatives to a plain \rightarrow for different needs.

Need	Command	Package
Plain right arrow	\rightarrow, \to	Standard LaTeX math mode
Double-line (implication) arrow	\Rightarrow	Standard LaTeX math mode
Maps-to arrow	\mapsto	Standard LaTeX math mode
Arrow that stretches to fit a label	\xrightarrow, \xleftarrow	amsmath
Arrow over a symbol (vector)	\overrightarrow	Basic LaTeX
Further over/under arrows	\overleftrightarrow, \underrightarrow, and others	amsmath

FAQ

How do I type a right arrow in LaTeX?

Use \rightarrow or \to in math mode. Both produce →.

What is the difference between \rightarrow and \to?

None in output: Wikibooks lists them together as one entry, “\rightarrow or \to“. \to is the shorter form.

How do I put text above or below a right arrow?

Load amsmath and use \xrightarrow[below]{above}. The optional argument (below) may be omitted; the mandatory argument (above) may be empty.

How do I write a double right arrow?

Use \Rightarrow for ⇒.

Do I need amsmath for \rightarrow?

No. Only the extensible arrows (\xrightarrow, \xleftarrow) and the additional over/under arrow commands come from amsmath.

Sources (official docs)

• AMS-LaTeX user guide amsldoc.pdf, section 4.9 “Extensible arrows” (CTAN: mirrors.ctan.org/macros/latex/required/amsmath/amsldoc.pdf), read 2026-11-07.
• CTAN package page for amsmath: ctan.org/pkg/amsmath, read 2026-11-07.
• Overleaf, list of Greek letters and math symbols: overleaf.com/learn/latex/List_of_Greek_letters_and_math_symbols, which lists \rightarrow, \Rightarrow, \leftrightarrow and \mapsto; read 2026-11-07.
• Wikibooks, LaTeX/Mathematics: en.wikibooks.org/wiki/LaTeX/Mathematics, read 2026-11-07.