Complete overview of LaTeX documentclass command

The \documentclass is the first and most important command in any LaTeX file because it decides the document style, layout, and overall structure.

Many beginners are confused about which class to choose or how different options affect formatting.

Before understanding basic usage, it is important to know the two main syntaxes used in LaTeX for setting the document class.

\documentclass{class}
\documentclass[options]{class}

The first syntax is the simplest form where you only select the class name such as article, report, or book. It is used when you are writing simple documents without needing extra layout control.

The second syntax adds options inside square brackets, allowing you to change font size, paper size, orientation, or other formatting settings.

Basic documentclass usage

The \documentclass command selects the document type. Beginners usually start with the article class because it is perfect for short writing, assignments, reports, and simple documents.

It gives a clean structure without too many advanced features.

\documentclass{article}

\begin{document}
 Hello LaTeX!
\end{document}

LaTeX provides several built-in classes, each made for a specific purpose. This small table helps you quickly understand which class is right for your document.

documentclass with options

Options help you control font size, paper size, orientation, and other layout settings. They make your document more readable and better suited for printing or academic submission.

\documentclass[fontsize, papersize, orientation]{class}

• fontsize

  Sets the base text size of the document. Common values are 10pt, 11pt, and 12pt. Larger text improves readability for printed documents.

• papersize

  Defines the page format such as a4paper or letterpaper. Matching the correct size is important for regional printing standards.

• orientation

  Sets the page direction as portrait or landscape. Landscape is useful for wide tables or large images.

• class

  Specifies the document structure such as article, report, or book. Each class has its own layout rules.

\documentclass[12pt, a4paper, landscape]{article}
\begin{document}
 A4 landscape article
\end{document}

Advanced classes

Advanced classes offer more modern layout and better control. KOMA-Script and memoir are popular choices for professional typesetting.

\documentclass[options]{scrartcl}

• KOMA Script

  Modern replacement for standard classes with improved spacing, headings, and overall layout. Suitable for serious academic documents.

• memoir

  A powerful class that replaces article, report, and book. Includes built-in tools for chapters, headers, page layout, and more.

\documentclass[12pt]{scrartcl}

\begin{document}
 KOMA Script example
\end{document}

Publisher provided classes

Some publishers and universities give their own class files that contain all required formatting rules. Using these ensures your submission matches the official style.

\documentclass[options]{ieeetran}

• ieeetran

  Official IEEE class with two-column layout and predefined citation formatting for conferences and journals.

• acmart

  Used for ACM conference and journal papers with built-in formatting modes.

\documentclass[conference]{ieeetran}

\begin{document}
 IEEE paper
\end{document}

Combining multiple options

You can mix several options such as draft mode, two-column layout, or font size in a single \documentclass. This is helpful for fast editing or fine-tuning long documents.

\documentclass[12pt, a4paper, draft, twocolumn]{article}

Best Practice

For short writing, article is the simplest and best choice. Use report or book for chapter-based documents.

Choose KOMA-Script or memoir for modern, professional formatting.

Always use only the options you truly need, too many unnecessary settings may slow down compilation.

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