---
id: py-asciimath
version: "0.3.0"
license: unclear
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: abandoned
---

# py-asciimath — A simple converter from ASCIIMath/MathML to LaTeX/MathML

License: permissive · Maintenance: abandoned · Downloads: 1.1M/mo

## What it is and what it does

py-asciimath is a translation layer between three mathematical notation formats: ASCIIMath (a human-readable markup), LaTeX (typesetting), and MathML (XML-based mathematical markup). It exposes translator classes for each conversion pair—ASCIIMath2MathML, ASCIIMath2Tex, MathML2Tex, and Tex2ASCIIMath—plus a command-line tool for batch conversions.

The package parses ASCIIMath using lark-parser and relies on lxml for XML handling. It is useful for workflows that need to move mathematical expressions between different systems—for instance, converting user-friendly ASCIIMath input into LaTeX for document generation or MathML for web display. The package is abandoned (last release April 2020), so it should be treated as a stable but unmaintained tool.

Use it for:

- Convert ASCIIMath notation from user input into LaTeX for PDF document generation in educational or scientific applications.
- Transform MathML from web sources into LaTeX for inclusion in academic papers or typeset documents.
- Batch-convert mathematical expressions via the command-line interface for data pipeline or content migration tasks.
- Parse and validate ASCIIMath expressions as part of a math-aware text editor or note-taking application.
- Generate MathML from LaTeX for embedding mathematical content in web pages or EPUB documents.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Converts between ASCIIMath, LaTeX, and MathML mathematical notation formats, with bidirectional translation support and a command-line interface.

Yes, if you need bidirectional translation between ASCIIMath, LaTeX, and MathML and can accept an unmaintained package. The code is stable, has no known vulnerabilities, and the three dependencies are lightweight. Install friction is low. However, do not rely on it for new features or bug fixes—treat it as a snapshot tool. If you need active maintenance or support, consider alternatives.

## Install

pip install py-asciimath
uv add py-asciimath
poetry add py-asciimath

## Installing py-asciimath

Before you install: Low install friction with three straightforward dependencies (lark-parser, docopt, lxml). However, the package is abandoned—last commit was 2023-07-28 and no releases since 2020-04-22. Consider this a stable snapshot rather than actively maintained software.

License in practice: Licensed under MIT (permissive), so you can use, modify, and distribute it freely with minimal restrictions.

Quickstart:

from py_asciimath.translator.translator import ASCIIMath2Tex

asciimath2tex = ASCIIMath2Tex()
result = asciimath2tex.translate(r"e^x > 0 forall x in RR")
print(result)

Verify before relying:

- Whether MathML-to-LaTeX conversion via XSLT MathML Library is fully functional or has known limitations beyond what the fact sheet documents.
- Current compatibility with modern Python versions beyond 3.9, given the package is abandoned and last tested on 3.5–3.9.
- Whether the command-line interface remains fully functional or has bitrot issues.

## Package facts

- License: not declared (permissive)
- Python support: unspecified
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: abandoned
- Downloads: 1.1M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

asciimath to latex converter, mathml latex translation, mathematical notation parser, asciimath mathml conversion, latex to asciimath, math markup language converter, equation format translator, math-notation, format-conversion

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/py-asciimath) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/py-asciimath/)