files/en-us/web/mathml/reference/element/mo/index.md
The <mo> MathML element represents an operator in a broad sense. Besides operators in strict mathematical meaning, this element also includes "operators" like parentheses, separators like comma and semicolon, or "absolute value" bars.
In addition to the global MathML attributes, this element accepts the following attributes whose default values depend on the operator's form and content:
accent {{Non-standard_Inline}}
<boolean> indicating whether the operator should be treated as an accent when used as an under- or overscript (i.e., drawn bigger and closer to the base expression).fence
<boolean> indicating whether the operator is a fence (such as parentheses). There is no visual effect for this attribute.form
prefix: The operator appears before its operands. For example, in the expression + a, the + is a prefix operator.infix: The operator appears between its operands. In the expression a + b, the + is an infix operator.postfix: The operator appears after its operands. For example, in the expression a +, the + is a postfix operator.largeop
<boolean> indicating whether the operator should be drawn bigger when {{cssxref("math-style")}} is set to normal.lspace
maxsize
minsize
movablelimits
<boolean> indicating whether attached under- and overscripts move to sub- and superscript positions when {{cssxref("math-style")}} is set to compact.rspace
separator
<boolean> indicating whether the operator is a separator (such as commas). There is no visual effect for this attribute.stretchy
<boolean> indicating whether the operator stretches to the size of the adjacent element.symmetric
<boolean> indicating whether a stretchy operator should be vertically symmetric around the imaginary math axis (centered fraction line).[!NOTE] For the
lspace,maxsize,minsizeandrspaceattributes, some browsers may also accept legacy MathML lengths.
<math display="block">
<mrow>
<mn>5</mn>
<mo>+</mo>
<mn>5</mn>
</mrow>
</math>
<math display="block">
<mrow>
<mo>[</mo> <!-- default form value: prefix -->
<mrow>
<mn>0</mn>
<mo>;</mo> <!-- default form value: infix -->
<mn>1</mn>
</mrow>
<mo>)</mo> <!-- default form value: postfix -->
</mrow>
</math>
{{ EmbedLiveSample('mo_example', 700, 200, "", "") }}
{{Specifications}}
{{Compat}}