Python-Markdown Math is an extension for the Python-Markdown library that adds support for rendering mathematical formulas written in LaTeX-like syntax. It converts math expressions within Markdown into a format compatible with client-side JavaScript rendering libraries like MathJax. The current version is 0.9, released in April 2025, and it maintains a moderate release cadence based on its history.
Install & Compatibility
Where this runs
tested against v0.9 · pip install
no network on importno background threads
Install × environment matrix
Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux
muslpy 3.10–3.920 runs
installs and imports cleanly · install 0.0s · import 0.139s · 18.5MB
glibcpy 3.10–3.920 runs
installs and imports cleanly · install 1.7s · import 0.131s · 19MB
17MB installed
● package 17MB
Code
Verified usage
Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.
The 'mdx_math' string is used to enable the extension with the Python-Markdown parser. There isn't a direct Python symbol import from the `python-markdown-math` package for runtime use.
import markdown
md = markdown.Markdown(extensions=['mdx_math'])
The quickstart demonstrates how to initialize the Python-Markdown parser with the `mdx_math` extension. It also shows how to enable the single dollar sign delimiter for inline math, which is disabled by default. The critical point is that the extension only generates MathJax-compatible HTML; actual visual rendering requires including the MathJax JavaScript library in your final HTML document.
import markdown
# Basic usage with default delimiters (\( ... \) for inline, $$ ... $$ for display)
md = markdown.Markdown(extensions=['mdx_math'])
html_output = md.convert('This is inline math: \(E=mc^2\) and a display equation: $$x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$$')
print(html_output)
# To enable single dollar sign for inline math (e.g., $E=mc^2$)
md_dollar = markdown.Markdown(extensions=['mdx_math'], extension_configs={'mdx_math': {'enable_dollar_delimiter': True}})
html_output_dollar = md_dollar.convert('Inline math with single dollar: $E=mc^2$')
print(html_output_dollar)
# Important: The generated HTML requires a client-side MathJax (or similar) library to render the math visually.
# Example of how the output will look (not fully rendered math without MathJax JS in browser):
# <p>This is inline math: <script type="math/tex">E=mc^2</script> and a display equation: <script type="math/tex; mode=display">x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}</script></p>
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Version history
Breaking-change detection hasn't run for this library yet.
Audit
Security & dependencies
CVE tracking and dependency tree are planned for a later release.