MathType for Google

MathType is available for Google Docs. Creating and editing an equation is straightforward. Just find the MathType option in the Add-ons drop-down menu and start editing. Watch the videos below as instructional guides.

Activate Google Add-on

Google will be migrating all G Suite add-ons from the Chrome Web Store to the G Suite Marketplace sometime in early 2019. After that, MathType will only be available from the G Suite Marketplace link above.

You may find the old Chrome Web Store listing here.

Install the add-on

Install the MathType add-on for Google Docs just like you would install any other add-on. From the Add-ons menu, choose Get add-ons. Search for MathType and click FREE. Alternatively, go directly to the MathType page in the Google Add-on store, and click FREE. Either way, when you see the Let's get started pop-up saying "MathType needs your permission to run", click Continue. You'll have to sign in with your Google account and grant MathType access to your Google docs. After you click Allow, MathType will be available for your use.

Write an equation

For more details about using MathType, whether with Google Docs or just in general, see the Using MathType page.

A note about equation alignment

One thing you'll notice is that inline equations (i.e., equations that are part of a sentence of text) are not vertically aligned with the text; they're positioned higher than normal, like this one:
Equations aren't aligned with the text due to a Google restriction.
This is due to a Google Docs restriction. In the future, if Google changes this behavior to allow vertical positioning of objects such as equations, MathType will be able to align its equations better.

Edit an equation

Select the formula you want to edit and open MathType from the Add-ons drop-down menu.

Large equations in Google

The way Google processes equations requires a limit on the size of each equation. The limit is not one that we can define here, because it depends on several characteristics of the equation. The purpose of this tip is to note that if you get an error when inserting a new equation or editing an existing equation, the error may be due to the size of the equation. If it's a small equation and you're still getting an error, write us and we'll try to help. If it's a large equation, try breaking it down into two or three smaller equations and see if that eliminates the error.

Accessibility: reading with a screen reader

When you add an equation to Google, MathType Web configures the equation such that it's readable by screen readers and other accessible technology (AT). For a more detailed explanation, see MathType Web: Accessibility.

MathType equations include alt text.

ChemType

ChemType is an improved user experience in MathType to create chemical notation. A personalized toolbar with specialized chemistry buttons to edit your inorganic chemistry formulas.

Printing

Printing a Google Docs page with equations doesn't require any special steps -- just print like any other document. One thing worth noting is that the equations will print at high quality, just like the text. This is a scan of the previous example after printing:

High-quality printout of equations in Google Docs

Requirements

The system requirements of MathType for Google are very simple: if your computer and browser are capable of running Google Drive apps (specifically the Google Docs word processor), then it will run the MathType add-in for Google. Here's how it looks in Firefox for Ubuntu:

MathType in Ubuntu.

Android and iOS

The Google Docs app in Android and iOS does not support Add-ins. As soon as Add-in technology is offered by Google in tablet apps, MathType will be available.