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KaTeX

By Tom Churchman

Content Management / Blog & Article Publishing

Reviewed by Abdul Hameid

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

KaTeX Review - In-Depth Analysis

Use the fastest math typesetting library on your website.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.72/10

User Rating

5/5 (based on 16+ reviews)

Active Installations

2,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

The KaTeX WordPress plugin enables you to use the fastest TeX math typesetting engine on your WordPress website. You can include TeX inside a [katex]...[/katex] shortcode or in a Gutenberg block. Either way the math will render beautifully on your website. When using Gutenberg blocks, the equations will render immediately inside your editor!

Equations in blocks or using the [katex display=true]...[/katex] shortcode will render on page in display mode - with bigger symbols - centered on their own line.

For compatibility with other LaTeX plugins, this plugin optionally supports [latex]...[/latex] shortcodes.

This plugin includes minified assets provided by the KaTeX project. The source code is available in the KaTeX git repository on GitHub.

Comparing to Alternatives

KaTeX is a specialized plugin for rendering LaTeX math equations efficiently, with several alternatives available that offer similar functionality.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Fast and efficient rendering of math equations using KaTeX.
Easy to use with LaTeX syntax familiarity.
Compatible with popular page builders like Elementor.
Provides a preview of formatted math text within the editor.
Supports right-to-left (RTL) equations properly on RTL websites.

Weaknesses

Lacks configuration options to disable font loading on pages without math content.
Equations inserted via shortcode block are left justified with limited alignment control.
No built-in settings for fine-tuning plugin behavior.
No pro version or premium features available.

User Sentiment Analysis

With a perfect 5-star rating from all 16 reviewers, users consistently praise KaTeX for its ease of use, fast rendering, and compatibility.

Positive highlights

"Able to use very easily and without any issues. Rendering is very fast too." — allabakash
"Fortunately, this is compatible with Elementor!" — mrezatavakol
"Great plugin for properly typeset math with a useful preview feature." — macadk
"Supports RTL equations correctly on RTL websites." — مرتضی رستگار
"Thanks to the developer for maintaining and updating the plugin." — gkoper

Common complaints

Weaknesses

No options to disable font and related file loading on pages without math content.
Limited alignment options for equations inserted via shortcode block.
Lack of configuration settings reduces customization.
No premium version to access advanced features.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who need a reliable, fast, and easy-to-use plugin to render LaTeX math equations on their WordPress sites, especially those using page builders like Elementor or requiring RTL support.

Not ideal for

Users seeking extensive customization options, advanced configuration settings, or a premium version with additional features may find this plugin limited for their needs.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version includes full KaTeX rendering capabilities with fast performance and compatibility with popular editors and RTL support.

Final Verdict

KaTeX stands out as a highly effective and user-friendly plugin for displaying LaTeX math on WordPress sites, earning unanimous positive reviews for its speed, compatibility, and ease of use. Its support for RTL equations and editor preview enhances the user experience significantly.

While it lacks advanced customization and a pro version, its zero security vulnerabilities and solid performance make it an excellent choice for users needing straightforward math rendering without extra complexity.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free KaTeX plugin.

Katex

Latex

Math

Screenshots

FAQ

You should be able to replace any other LaTeX plugin using [latex] shortcodes without having to make changes to existing posts. Other plugins might handle display-mode latex other than [latex display=true]...[/latex], in which case old posts unfortunately have to be changed.