Math Equation OCR

Photograph an equation or upload an academic PDF. Get LaTeX back, ready to drop into Overleaf, Notion, or your paper.

What it does

LensCopy converts math equations, formulas, and academic papers to LaTeX using AI-powered OCR. It handles printed equations from textbooks and PDFs, handwritten equations on notebook or whiteboard photos, and full academic papers with mixed prose, math, and figures. Output is markdown with inline math wrapped in `$…$` and display math in `$$…$$` — ready to paste into Overleaf, Notion, Obsidian, or any LaTeX-aware editor.

Convert math equations to LaTeX

  1. Capture the equations. Take a photo of the page or save the PDF to your computer. For handwritten equations, even lighting matters.
  2. Upload to LensCopy. Drag and drop the file onto the upload area at lenscopy.com.
  3. Wait for OCR. The AI-powered pipeline reads the equations and converts them to LaTeX inline with the surrounding text.
  4. Copy the LaTeX. Use the Copy button or export to a file. Paste directly into Overleaf, Obsidian, Notion, or any markdown editor that renders math.

FAQ: Math Equation OCR

How do I convert a math equation to LaTeX from an image?

Upload the image to LensCopy. The OCR pipeline detects equations and emits them as LaTeX wrapped in `$…$` for inline math or `$$…$$` for display math, alongside any surrounding prose.

Can it convert PDFs to LaTeX?

Yes. Upload an academic PDF and equations come back as LaTeX inline with the prose. The output is markdown with embedded LaTeX, which Overleaf and most markdown-with-math editors render natively.

Does it handle handwritten equations?

Yes, when the handwriting is reasonably legible. Whiteboard photos, notebook pages, and worksheet scans all work — clearer notation gives better results.

Last reviewed 2026-05-03. Loading interactive page…