Kile
Kile is a desktop editor for TeX and LaTeX documents, offered for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What Kile is
Kile is a desktop editor for TeX and LaTeX documents, offered for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It can compile, convert, and display a document with one click, and its editing tools include command completion and advanced editing commands. Templates and wizards give users a starting point for new documents. Related files can be grouped into projects, where users can insert citations and references. Kile supports forward and inverse searching between the editor and a DVI viewer, while QuickPreview displays a selected portion of a document. Its maker describes the build system as designed for compiling LaTeX documents. Kile is free and open source. The download page provides source code and lists 64-bit Windows binaries for version 3.0 beta 3. For Linux, the maker recommends using a matching distribution package when available. Users can ask technical questions through the kile-devel mailing list and report problems through KDE's bug tracking system.
Good
- One-click compile, convert, and view
- Templates and wizards start new documents
- QuickPreview shows a selected document section
- Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows
Watch out
- Help compilation instructions focus on KDE4 on Linux and BSD
- Listed Windows binaries are for version 3.0 beta 3
Who it suits
Kile suits people writing TeX or LaTeX documents who want editing, compilation, and preview tools in one desktop application. Its project and citation features may help users managing related documents.
Verdict
Kile combines LaTeX editing, project organization, and document preview in a free, open-source desktop application. Check its platform-specific installation guidance before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From Kile's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Kile | Free | Downloadable desktop application · source code available |
The facts
Each one read from Kile's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Build system
- The maker describes Kile as having a flexible and smart build system for compiling LaTeX documents.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility note
- The help page says its compilation instructions cover Kile for KDE4 on Linux and BSD, and recommends distribution packages for system-wide installation.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Compile and view
- Kile can compile, convert, and view a document with one click.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download page offers source code and lists 64-bit Windows binaries for version 3.0 beta 3.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Editing
- Kile supports auto-completion of (La)TeX commands and advanced editing commands.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The maker recommends installing a matching Linux distribution package through its package manager when one is available.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Preview
- QuickPreview previews a selected part of a document.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Projects
- Users can group related documents into a project and insert citations and references in projects.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Kile is a user-friendly TeX/LaTeX editor.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Search
- Kile supports inverse and forward search between the editor and DVI viewer.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The download page displays a SHA-256 hash for the Kile 3.0 beta 4 source archive.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- Users can ask technical questions through the kile-devel mailing list and report problems through KDE's bug tracking system.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Templates
- Templates and wizards help users start a new document.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The maker lists PC, Mac, BSD, Linux, and Microsoft Windows among supported architectures and operating systems.checked 4 Oct 2026
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