Difference between a Line and Line segment (original) (raw)
Last Updated : 25 Feb, 2026
Geometryis the study of shapes or geometrical figures. All the shapes we observe in geometry are made up of the joining of several lines. And, lines are a collection of points. This interrelation of points, lines, and shapes makes the study of geometrical figures equally interesting.
**Lines
Lines are geometrical figures with non-terminating ends. A line runs in two opposite directions endlessly. Both points of a line can be extended to infinity. Lines are roughly denoted or symbolized by any two points lying on the line.
**Line segments
The line is non-ending, but it can be fractionally divided into different segments. These segments are known as line segment which have two endpoints. It is a part of the line that connects two points lying on it. The portion of a line segment is bounded between two endpoints, in which all the points lying between these endpoints become a part of the line segment.
Line vs Line segment
| Lines | Line segment |
|---|---|
| Lines are defined as the geometrical figures formed by a collection of an infinite number of points. | Line segments are the distance between two defined endpoints. |
| A line extends up to infinity as it does not have any starting or endpoint. | A line segment can be taken as the shortest distance between two endpoints. |
| A line cannot be measured as it has no end and extends up to infinity. | A line segment can be measured in length as it has two fixed endpoints. |
| A line is denoted by any two points lying on the line. | A line segment is denoted by '_' or \overline{xy} |