# vertical space between equations and between equations and the text

Since I use double spacing and the \begin{align*} seems to create too much space between the equations and the text and between the equations, I often use just \begin{center} $...$ \end{center}. But when I need to align, I can't use it. So my question is how can I make \begin{align*} just look like \begin{center} $...$ \end{center}. I tried -2\jot or -1.5\jot, but it looks a little different...

• Welcome to TeX.SE! We would appreciate you to provide some more information (e.g. the way you achieved the double-spacing or better a whole MWE). – TeXnician Feb 6 '17 at 15:20
• – ebosi Feb 6 '17 at 15:25

For align you can define verrtical spaces with pt:

\setlength\abovedisplayskip{20pt} % used for space above equotation
\setlength\belowdisplayskip{20pt} % used for space below equotation


Space between equotations or between equotations and text is the same for align.

It is also possible to use something like that with upsetting and stretchable parts:

\setlength\abovedisplayskip{10pt plus 2pt minus 5pt}%default

• That is not entirely true. Equation can change the spacing above it self depending on the size of the material inside the equation env and the length of the line of text preceeding it. The align env cannot. – daleif Feb 9 '17 at 9:43
• @daleif. Exact. – Bobyandbob Feb 9 '17 at 9:58