This is a small demonstration of inline TikZ graphics embedded directly inside ordinary text. A simple horizontal line can appear inside a sentence without requiring a separate figure. We can similarly draw a small arrow or an arrow in the opposite direction as part of the surrounding paragraph.

TikZ can also produce simple geometric objects. Here is a circle and here is a filled circle followed by a rectangle and a filled rectangle . Even a triangle can be inserted directly into the text.

Nodes are particularly useful. We can place a boxed value inside a sentence, or use a circular node to represent a vertex. A filled node could represent a black node of a red-black tree, while could represent a red node.

Small mathematical diagrams can also be inserted inline. For example, the mapping A B can be represented graphically rather than with an ordinary arrow. We can make the arrow curved or double-headed when the context calls for it.

Coordinates do not have to lie on a straight line. A tiny function-like curve can occur in ordinary prose. We can also draw two intersecting lines or coordinate axes without leaving the paragraph.

For data structures, suppose a node contains the value . Its children might be represented schematically as inside the text itself. We can even show a tiny linked-list fragment without introducing a full displayed figure.

Styling works in the short form as well. A thick line a dashed line and a dotted line are all ordinary TikZ paths. Scaling the entire miniature picture is also possible: or .

Consequently, inline TikZ is useful for anything from tiny symbols and annotations to miniature graphs embedded directly in a line of prose.