---
id: sphinx-math-dollar
version: "1.3"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: aging
---

# sphinx-math-dollar — Sphinx extension to let you write LaTeX math using $$

License: permissive · Maintenance: aging · Downloads: 76.9K/mo

## What it is and what it does

sphinx-math-dollar is a Sphinx extension that translates dollar-sign math notation (familiar from LaTeX and Markdown) into Sphinx's native math directives. It lets you write inline math as $expression$ and display math as $$expression$$, which the extension parses and converts for rendering via MathJax or similar backends. This is useful if you prefer LaTeX-style syntax over Sphinx's :math: and .. math:: directives, or if you're migrating documentation from other systems that use dollar signs.

The extension uses a blacklist to avoid parsing dollar signs in code blocks, literals, and other contexts where they shouldn't be interpreted as math. It integrates with sphinx.ext.autodoc to handle math in docstrings. Configuration is minimal—add it to your extensions list and optionally configure MathJax to prevent conflicts. Known limitations include issues with absolute-value bars (which Sphinx may parse as inline substitutions) and a need for careful spacing or braces in certain edge cases.

Use it for:

- Migrating Markdown or LaTeX documentation to Sphinx RST while keeping familiar dollar-sign math syntax
- Writing scientific or mathematical documentation where dollar signs feel more natural than :math: directives
- Documenting Python packages with heavy mathematical content in docstrings via autodoc
- Reducing friction when teams transition from other documentation systems to Sphinx

## Worth the install?

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

A Sphinx extension that lets you write LaTeX math in reStructuredText using dollar-sign syntax ($ and $$) instead of Sphinx's native :math: directive.

Yes, if you are already using Sphinx and prefer dollar-sign math syntax. Install friction is minimal, the license is permissive, and there are no known security issues. Maintenance is aging but the repository is active. Be aware of the absolute-value workaround and test your math notation before committing to it in a large documentation project.

## Install

pip install sphinx-math-dollar
uv add sphinx-math-dollar
poetry add sphinx-math-dollar

## Installing sphinx-math-dollar

Before you install: Low friction: pure Python wheel with a single runtime dependency on sphinx. Last release 190 days ago; repository is active and not archived, though maintenance pace suggests aging status.

License in practice: MIT license is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute this package freely with minimal restrictions.

Quickstart:

pip install sphinx-math-dollar

In conf.py:
extensions = ['sphinx_math_dollar', 'sphinx.ext.mathjax']

In RST: $\int\sin(x)\,dx$ for inline math or $$\int\sin(x)\,dx$$ for display.

Requires Python >=3.11 and an existing Sphinx documentation project. MathJax configuration needed in conf.py to prevent parsing conflicts.

Verify before relying:

- Whether absolute-value workarounds (spaces or braces) are acceptable for your math notation style
- Compatibility with Sphinx versions older than those tested in the classifiers

## Package facts

- License: MIT (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: aging
- Downloads: 76.9K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

sphinx latex math dollar signs, rst math notation extension, sphinx math rendering, latex in documentation, sphinx equation syntax, sphinx-extension, math-rendering, documentation

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