How do you draw a horizontal line in LaTeX?

LaTeX offers several ways to draw horizontal lines, some requiring arguments and others not. This guide covers all available methods.

Using \rule for Customizable Lines

The simplest way to create a horizontal line is with the \rule[raise-height]{length}{thickness} command, allowing customization of length and thickness.

An optional argument adjusts the vertical position—positive values move it up, negative move it down.

To draw a line matching the paragraph width, use \textwidth. Adding \noindent improves the appearance.

\par\noindent\rule{\textwidth}{0.5pt}

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{lipsum}
\begin{document}
 \begin{center}
   \verb|Without using \noindent|
 \end{center}
 \lipsum[1][1-3]
 \par\rule{\textwidth}{0.5pt} 
 \par
 \lipsum[1][1-3]
 \begin{center}
   \verb|Using \noindent|
 \end{center}
 \lipsum[1][1-3]
 \par\noindent\rule{\textwidth}{0.5pt}
 \par
 \lipsum[1][1-3]
\end{document}

Output :

Using \hrule for Simple Lines

The \hrule command requires no arguments and is typically used between paragraphs. To add spacing above and below, use \vspace{}.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{lipsum}
\begin{document}
 \lipsum[1][1-3]
  \vspace{4pt}
    \hrule
  \vspace{4pt}
 \lipsum[1][1-3]
\end{document}

Output :

Using \line for Adjustable Line Lengths

The \line(x-slope,y-slope){length} command allows for sloped or horizontal lines. For a line, use (1,0). Centering can be done with the center environment.

\line(x-slope,y-slope){length}

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{lipsum}
\begin{document}
 \lipsum[1][1-3]
 \begin{center}
    \line(1,0){340}
 \end{center}
 \lipsum[1][1-3]
 \begin{center}
   \line(1,0){70}
 \end{center}
\end{document}

Output :

Using \hline for Simple Table-Like Lines

The \hline command is another option, but it lacks customization. To adjust spacing, use \vspace{}. Double lines can be created by using \hline twice

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{lipsum}
\begin{document}
 \lipsum[1][1-3] 
 \vspace{5pt}
   \hline
 \vspace{5pt}
 \lipsum[1][1-3] 
 \vspace{5pt}
 \hline
 \hline
\end{document}

Output :

Using \hrulefill for Inline Horizontal Lines

The \hrulefill command extends to fill available space in a line. It is useful for titles or decorative elements. Using \par forces the line onto the next line, and \noindent improves the appearance.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{lipsum}
\begin{document}
  \begin{center}
    \verb|\hrulefill use for Title|
 \end{center}
 \noindent\hrulefill Title \noindent\hrulefill
 \begin{center}
    \verb|Without using \par|
 \end{center}
 \lipsum[1][1-2]
 \noindent\hrulefill
 \begin{center}
    \verb|Using \par|
 \end{center}
 \lipsum[1][1-2]
 \par\noindent\hrulefill
\end{document}

Output :

Using \dotfill for Dotted Lines

The \dotfill command functions like \hrulefill but creates a dotted line, commonly used for visual separation in documents.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{lipsum}
\begin{document}
 \begin{center}
    \verb|\dotfill use for Title|
 \end{center}
 \noindent\dotfill Title \noindent\dotfill
 \begin{center}
    \verb|Without using \par|
 \end{center}
 \lipsum[1][1-2]
 \noindent\dotfill
 \begin{center}
    \verb|Using \par|
 \end{center}
 \lipsum[1][1-2]
 \par\noindent\dotfill
\end{document}

Output :