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How to Include Code in LaTeX

Including code in your LaTeX documents is essential for technical documentation, programming tutorials, and academic papers. This guide covers all methods from simple inline code to advanced syntax highlighting.

Quick Overview of Methods

Method	Use Case	Syntax Highlighting
`\verb`	Inline code snippets	No
`verbatim`	Simple code blocks	No
`listings`	Code with basic highlighting	Yes (basic)
`minted`	Professional syntax highlighting	Yes (advanced)

Method 1: Inline Code with \verb

For short inline code snippets, use the \verb command. The delimiter can be any character that doesn't appear in your code:

Use \verb|print("Hello")| to output text.
The function \verb+array[i]+ accesses element i.

Output: Use print("Hello") to output text. The function array[i] accesses element i.

Method 2: Simple Code Blocks with verbatim

For basic code blocks without any formatting, use the verbatim environment:

\begin{verbatim}
def hello_world():
    print("Hello, World!")
    
hello_world()
\end{verbatim}

def hello_world(): print("Hello, World!") hello_world()

Method 3: The listings Package

The listings package provides syntax highlighting and many customization options. First, add it to your preamble:

\usepackage{listings}
\usepackage{xcolor}

% Define colors for syntax highlighting
\definecolor{codegreen}{rgb}{0,0.6,0}
\definecolor{codegray}{rgb}{0.5,0.5,0.5}
\definecolor{codepurple}{rgb}{0.58,0,0.82}
\definecolor{backcolour}{rgb}{0.95,0.95,0.92}

% Configure listings style
\lstdefinestyle{mystyle}{
    backgroundcolor=\color{backcolour},
    commentstyle=\color{codegreen},
    keywordstyle=\color{magenta},
    numberstyle=\tiny\color{codegray},
    stringstyle=\color{codepurple},
    basicstyle=\ttfamily\footnotesize,
    breakatwhitespace=false,
    breaklines=true,
    captionpos=b,
    keepspaces=true,
    numbers=left,
    numbersep=5pt,
    showspaces=false,
    showstringspaces=false,
    showtabs=false,
    tabsize=2
}
\lstset{style=mystyle}

Then use it in your document:

\begin{lstlisting}[language=Python, caption=Python example]
def fibonacci(n):
    """Calculate the nth Fibonacci number"""
    if n <= 1:
        return n
    return fibonacci(n-1) + fibonacci(n-2)

# Print first 10 Fibonacci numbers
for i in range(10):
    print(fibonacci(i))
\end{lstlisting}

Supported Languages in listings

The listings package supports many programming languages:

PythonJavaCC++JavaScriptHTMLCSSSQLPHPRubyPerlRMatlabBashTeX

Method 4: The minted Package (Advanced)

For professional-quality syntax highlighting, use the minted package. It uses Pygments for highlighting, which supports 300+ languages:

The minted package requires Python and Pygments to be installed. You also need to compile with --shell-escape flag.

% In preamble
\usepackage{minted}

% In document
\begin{minted}[linenos, bgcolor=lightgray]{python}
import numpy as np

def matrix_multiply(A, B):
    """Multiply two matrices using NumPy"""
    return np.dot(A, B)

# Example usage
A = np.array([[1, 2], [3, 4]])
B = np.array([[5, 6], [7, 8]])
print(matrix_multiply(A, B))
\end{minted}

Including Code from External Files

Both listings and minted can include code directly from files:

% Using listings
\lstinputlisting[language=Python]{code/example.py}

% Using minted
\inputminted{python}{code/example.py}

% Include only specific lines
\lstinputlisting[language=Python, firstline=10, lastline=25]{code/example.py}
\inputminted[firstline=10, lastline=25]{python}{code/example.py}

Inline Code with listings

For inline code with highlighting, use \lstinline:

The \lstinline{for} loop iterates over the \lstinline{range(10)}.
Use \lstinline[language=Python]|print()| to display output.

Customizing Code Appearance

Common customization options for listings:

Option	Description	Example
`numbers`	Line numbers position	`left`, `right`, `none`
`frame`	Frame around code	`single`, `lines`, `none`
`caption`	Code caption	`caption=My Code`
`label`	Reference label	`label=lst:example`
`breaklines`	Wrap long lines	`true` / `false`

Complete Example Document

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{listings}
\usepackage{xcolor}

\definecolor{codegreen}{rgb}{0,0.6,0}
\definecolor{backcolour}{rgb}{0.95,0.95,0.92}

\lstdefinestyle{mystyle}{
    backgroundcolor=\color{backcolour},
    commentstyle=\color{codegreen},
    keywordstyle=\color{blue},
    basicstyle=\ttfamily\small,
    breaklines=true,
    numbers=left,
    frame=single
}
\lstset{style=mystyle}

\begin{document}

\section{Code Example}

Here is a Python function:

\begin{lstlisting}[language=Python, caption=Factorial function]
def factorial(n):
    """Calculate factorial recursively"""
    if n <= 1:
        return 1
    return n * factorial(n - 1)
\end{lstlisting}

As shown in Listing 1, the \lstinline{factorial} function uses recursion.

\end{document}

Best Practices

Use verbatim for quick, simple code snippets without highlighting needs
Use listings for most use cases - it's reliable and doesn't require external dependencies
Use minted when you need the best syntax highlighting and don't mind the setup
Keep code examples concise and relevant to the document
Use captions and labels to reference code listings in your text
Consider using a monospace font that clearly distinguishes similar characters (0/O, 1/l/I)

When working with Overleaf, the listings package works out of the box. For minted, enable "Shell escape" in the project settings.

Tip: Need help configuring code blocks? Underleaf's AI can generate properly formatted listings and minted environments from your code snippets instantly.

How to Include Code in LaTeX

Quick Overview of Methods

Method	Use Case	Syntax Highlighting
`\verb`	Inline code snippets	No
`verbatim`	Simple code blocks	No
`listings`	Code with basic highlighting	Yes (basic)
`minted`	Professional syntax highlighting	Yes (advanced)

Method 1: Inline Code with \verb

For short inline code snippets, use the \verb command. The delimiter can be any character that doesn't appear in your code:

Use \verb|print("Hello")| to output text.
The function \verb+array[i]+ accesses element i.

Output: Use print("Hello") to output text. The function array[i] accesses element i.

Method 2: Simple Code Blocks with verbatim

For basic code blocks without any formatting, use the verbatim environment:

\begin{verbatim}
def hello_world():
    print("Hello, World!")
    
hello_world()
\end{verbatim}

def hello_world(): print("Hello, World!") hello_world()

Method 3: The listings Package

The listings package provides syntax highlighting and many customization options. First, add it to your preamble:

\usepackage{listings}
\usepackage{xcolor}

% Define colors for syntax highlighting
\definecolor{codegreen}{rgb}{0,0.6,0}
\definecolor{codegray}{rgb}{0.5,0.5,0.5}
\definecolor{codepurple}{rgb}{0.58,0,0.82}
\definecolor{backcolour}{rgb}{0.95,0.95,0.92}

% Configure listings style
\lstdefinestyle{mystyle}{
    backgroundcolor=\color{backcolour},
    commentstyle=\color{codegreen},
    keywordstyle=\color{magenta},
    numberstyle=\tiny\color{codegray},
    stringstyle=\color{codepurple},
    basicstyle=\ttfamily\footnotesize,
    breakatwhitespace=false,
    breaklines=true,
    captionpos=b,
    keepspaces=true,
    numbers=left,
    numbersep=5pt,
    showspaces=false,
    showstringspaces=false,
    showtabs=false,
    tabsize=2
}
\lstset{style=mystyle}

Then use it in your document:

\begin{lstlisting}[language=Python, caption=Python example]
def fibonacci(n):
    """Calculate the nth Fibonacci number"""
    if n <= 1:
        return n
    return fibonacci(n-1) + fibonacci(n-2)

# Print first 10 Fibonacci numbers
for i in range(10):
    print(fibonacci(i))
\end{lstlisting}

Supported Languages in listings

The listings package supports many programming languages:

PythonJavaCC++JavaScriptHTMLCSSSQLPHPRubyPerlRMatlabBashTeX

Method 4: The minted Package (Advanced)

For professional-quality syntax highlighting, use the minted package. It uses Pygments for highlighting, which supports 300+ languages:

The minted package requires Python and Pygments to be installed. You also need to compile with --shell-escape flag.

% In preamble
\usepackage{minted}

% In document
\begin{minted}[linenos, bgcolor=lightgray]{python}
import numpy as np

def matrix_multiply(A, B):
    """Multiply two matrices using NumPy"""
    return np.dot(A, B)

# Example usage
A = np.array([[1, 2], [3, 4]])
B = np.array([[5, 6], [7, 8]])
print(matrix_multiply(A, B))
\end{minted}

Including Code from External Files

Both listings and minted can include code directly from files:

% Using listings
\lstinputlisting[language=Python]{code/example.py}

% Using minted
\inputminted{python}{code/example.py}

% Include only specific lines
\lstinputlisting[language=Python, firstline=10, lastline=25]{code/example.py}
\inputminted[firstline=10, lastline=25]{python}{code/example.py}

Inline Code with listings

For inline code with highlighting, use \lstinline:

The \lstinline{for} loop iterates over the \lstinline{range(10)}.
Use \lstinline[language=Python]|print()| to display output.

Customizing Code Appearance

Common customization options for listings:

Option	Description	Example
`numbers`	Line numbers position	`left`, `right`, `none`
`frame`	Frame around code	`single`, `lines`, `none`
`caption`	Code caption	`caption=My Code`
`label`	Reference label	`label=lst:example`
`breaklines`	Wrap long lines	`true` / `false`

Complete Example Document

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{listings}
\usepackage{xcolor}

\definecolor{codegreen}{rgb}{0,0.6,0}
\definecolor{backcolour}{rgb}{0.95,0.95,0.92}

\lstdefinestyle{mystyle}{
    backgroundcolor=\color{backcolour},
    commentstyle=\color{codegreen},
    keywordstyle=\color{blue},
    basicstyle=\ttfamily\small,
    breaklines=true,
    numbers=left,
    frame=single
}
\lstset{style=mystyle}

\begin{document}

\section{Code Example}

Here is a Python function:

\begin{lstlisting}[language=Python, caption=Factorial function]
def factorial(n):
    """Calculate factorial recursively"""
    if n <= 1:
        return 1
    return n * factorial(n - 1)
\end{lstlisting}

As shown in Listing 1, the \lstinline{factorial} function uses recursion.

\end{document}

Best Practices

Use verbatim for quick, simple code snippets without highlighting needs
Use listings for most use cases - it's reliable and doesn't require external dependencies
Use minted when you need the best syntax highlighting and don't mind the setup
Keep code examples concise and relevant to the document
Use captions and labels to reference code listings in your text
Consider using a monospace font that clearly distinguishes similar characters (0/O, 1/l/I)

When working with Overleaf, the listings package works out of the box. For minted, enable "Shell escape" in the project settings.

Tip: Need help configuring code blocks? Underleaf's AI can generate properly formatted listings and minted environments from your code snippets instantly.

Learn LaTeX

Getting Started

Text Formatting

Mathematical Expressions

Document Structure

How to Include Code in LaTeX

Quick Overview of Methods

Method 1: Inline Code with \verb

Method 2: Simple Code Blocks with verbatim

Method 3: The listings Package

Supported Languages in listings

Method 4: The minted Package (Advanced)

Including Code from External Files

Inline Code with listings

Customizing Code Appearance

Complete Example Document

Best Practices

How to Include Code in LaTeX

Quick Overview of Methods

Method 1: Inline Code with \verb

Method 2: Simple Code Blocks with verbatim

Method 3: The listings Package

Supported Languages in listings

Method 4: The minted Package (Advanced)

Including Code from External Files

Inline Code with listings

Customizing Code Appearance

Complete Example Document

Best Practices

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