≈ Approximately equal Symbol — Copy and Paste, Alt Code

Q: How do I type the Approximately equal symbol ≈?

On Windows hold Alt and type 8776. In HTML use ≈. Or copy it from this page in one tap.

01 — Origin

Where the Approximately equal symbol comes from

The double tilde for approximate equality was introduced by Alfred Greenhill in the nineteenth century. The single tilde ∼ already meant “is similar to” in geometry; doubling it strengthened the claim from similarity of shape to closeness of value.

Rounded figures, estimates and measurements: ≈ 3.14, ≈ 5 kg, ≈ 40 minutes. In interfaces it warns that a number is computed rather than exact, which is why conversion tools use it constantly.

Worth knowing

There is a hierarchy people mix up: ∼ similar, ≃ asymptotically equal, ≈ approximately equal, ≅ congruent. Only the third one means “about this much”.

02 — Codes

Approximately equal symbol codes

Four notations, one result: whatever you copy here comes out as U+2248.

03 — How to type

How to type ≈ on any keyboard

Pick the route that matches the program in front of you.

Windows

Hold Alt and type 8776 on the numeric keypad, then release. Without a keypad, use the Character Map app (search “charmap”).

Mac

Press Control + Command + Space to open the character viewer, then search “approximately equal”. Double-click to insert.

Phone

There is no shortcut on a phone keyboard. Tap the symbol at the top of this page, then long-press in any text field and choose Paste.

Web and code

In HTML write ≈ or ≈. In CSS content: "\2248". Make sure the page is served as UTF-8 and the raw character works too.

04 — Font support

Will ≈ actually show up?

We checked 147 fonts installed on a normal machine and counted how many of them contain this character. A symbol missing from a font is drawn as an empty box — the text is still correct, it just cannot be drawn.

89% 131 of 147 fonts

Safe in most places. Common fonts have it. Older or decorative fonts sometimes do not, so a fallback font will kick in.

05 — Similar

Symbols people confuse with ≈

Lookalikes that are not the same character at all — separate codes, separate fonts, and here they number 8.

06 — Related

Other mathematical symbols

Symbols from the same family, each with its own page: where it came from, how to type it and how well fonts support it.

≤ Less than or equal symbolIn 87% of system fonts ± Plus-minus symbolIn 97% of system fonts ÷ Division symbolIn 97% of system fonts × Multiplication symbolIn 97% of system fonts µ Micro symbolIn 95% of system fonts ° Degree symbolIn 97% of system fonts

07 — Same block

Math symbols

Operators, set theory, logic, calculus — everything past the number row.

All math symbols →

08 — FAQ

Approximately equal symbol — questions

How do I type the Approximately equal symbol?

On Windows hold Alt and type 8776 on the numeric keypad. On Mac open the character viewer with Control + Command + Space and search “Approximately equal”. Or just tap the symbol on this page — it goes straight to your clipboard.

What is the HTML code for ≈?

Write it as ≈ or ≈ in HTML, \2248 in CSS content, and \u2248 in JavaScript. All four produce the same character.

Is ≈ an emoji?

No. ≈ is a text character — it takes the colour of the text around it and works in usernames, filenames and documents. An emoji is replaced by a colour picture and is sometimes stripped by forms and systems.

Why does ≈ show as a box on some devices?

Because that font has no drawing for this character. We checked 147 fonts on a normal machine and 131 of them include it. The character itself is always correct; only the drawing is missing.

≈Approximately equal symbol