How to Type ŀ (L with middle dot) on LaTeX

Published April 20, 2026, 2 min read

Typing ŀ (l with middle dot) on LaTeX takes a few seconds once you know the trick. The short answer is Paste UTF-8 directly. Read on for step-by-step instructions, the uppercase Ŀ and what to do when a method does not work.

ŀ on LaTeX: Paste UTF-8 directly

Ŀ on LaTeX: Paste UTF-8 directly

Or copy it:

Type the character directly

Since 2018 pdfLaTeX reads UTF-8 by default, so you can paste ŀ into your source. On Overleaf, set the compiler in Menu → Compiler.

How to type the capital Ŀ

The uppercase form works the same way with Shift added where a letter is typed.

Type the character directly

Since 2018 pdfLaTeX reads UTF-8 by default, so you can paste Ŀ into your source. On Overleaf, set the compiler in Menu → Compiler.

About the letter ŀ

ŀ is Unicode U+0140, named LATIN SMALL LETTER L WITH MIDDLE DOT. See the ŀ character page for every code and shortcut.

Troubleshooting

Accents on i and j need the dotless forms \i and \j in old LaTeX; modern LaTeX handles this automatically.
If the letter is missing in the PDF, the font lacks it. Switch to XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX with a broader font.
Wrap commands in braces when the next character is a letter: \'{e}x, not \'ex.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortcut for ŀ on LaTeX?

Paste UTF-8 directly.

Can I just copy and paste ŀ?

Yes. Click the copy button above, then paste with Ctrl+V on Windows and Chromebook, Cmd+V on a Mac, or touch and hold and choose Paste on a phone.

What is the Unicode code for ŀ?

U+0140. In HTML it is ŀ.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for LaTeX