How to type ≈ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+247.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 247 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The approximately equal symbol ≈ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "approximately equal". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ≈, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ≈ on a Mac
Press Option+X on the US keyboard layout. Hold the modifier keys and tap the final key once.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "approximately equal" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type ≈ on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include ≈, so the reliable way is to copy it from this page, then press and hold in any text field and tap Paste.
If you use it often, create a shortcut: open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste ≈ in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;approximately in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert ≈ anywhere.
How to type ≈ on Android
Copy the symbol from this page, then long-press in a text field and choose Paste. Gboard also keeps a clipboard history: tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar to paste it again later.
For a permanent shortcut, open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add ≈ as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type ≈ in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 2248 where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into ≈.
This works on Windows in Word, Outlook and OneNote and needs no numeric keypad. You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the font to a Unicode font and type 2248 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(8776) returns the symbol.
How to type ≈ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "approximately equal" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(8776).
≈ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ≈ |
| HTML decimal | ≈ |
| HTML hex | ≈ |
CSS content | "\2248" |
| JavaScript | "\u2248" |
| Python | "\u2248" |
| LaTeX | \approx |
| URL encoded | %E2%89%88 |
Because ≈ is a standard Unicode character (U+2248), you can also paste it directly into any UTF-8 file. The escaped forms above are only needed when the file encoding is uncertain or the symbol must be entered on a keyboard without it.
Where the approximately equal symbol is used
It appears in math, physics, and engineering to flag rounded or estimated values, such as "π ≈ 3.14" or "1 mile ≈ 1.6 km". People sometimes use the tilde (~) informally for the same idea, and it's easy to confuse ≈ with the congruence symbol (≅) used in geometry.
Frequently asked questions
What does ≈ mean in math? +
It means the two values on either side are close in value but not exactly equal, often because one has been rounded or estimated.
What's the difference between ≈ and ~? +
≈ is the formal math symbol for approximate equality, while ~ is often used informally for the same purpose or for other meanings like negation or ranges.
What is the Alt code for the approximately equal symbol? +
The Alt code for ≈ is Alt+247. Hold Alt, type 247 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ≈ on a Mac? +
Press Option+X on a Mac with the US keyboard layout. You can also open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space and search for "approximately equal".
How do I type the approximately equal symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include ≈ by default. Copy it from this page and paste it, or add it as a text replacement shortcut in Settings so you can type it with a short abbreviation.
What is the HTML code for ≈? +
Use ≈ in HTML. The numeric form ≈ works too. In CSS use content: "\2248" and in JavaScript use "\u2248".