# \vnabla

Used in the physics package for vector-calculus notation, especially as the vector nabla in gradient, divergence, and curl expressions.

https://texform.dev/latex/commands/vnabla

## Metadata

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Topic | [Physics: vectors](https://texform.dev/latex/topics/physics-vectors) |
| Packages | physics |
| Allowed mode | math |
| Tags |  |
| Commonality | low |
| Kind | prefix |

## Syntax

### physics

Argument specification: ``

Used in the physics package for vector-calculus notation, especially as the vector nabla in gradient, divergence, and curl expressions.

## Examples

```latex
\vnabla
```

[Open in Playground](https://play.texform.dev/?input=%5Cvnabla)

## Renderer support

| Package | MathJax | KaTeX | XeTeX |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| physics | full | none | full |

## In TeXForm

TeXForm parses this entry as prefix syntax; the package determines its argument specification.

### Expands to (physics)

```latex
\vnabla
```

→

```latex
{\gradientnabla}
```

This is the default branch because physics.arrowdel defaults to false. If the physics option arrowdel is true, the method reparses instead as \vec{\gradientnabla}.

## Test cases

### physics

| Input | Case | MathJax | KaTeX | XeTeX |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| \vnabla | Positive: baseline | Pass | Fail | Pass |