How to type ≡ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+240.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 240 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The identical to symbol ≡ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "identical to". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ≡, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ≡ on a Mac
There is no direct keyboard shortcut for ≡ on a Mac.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "identical to" 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 ;identical 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 2261 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 2261 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(8801) returns the symbol.
How to type ≡ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "identical to" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(8801).
≡ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ≡ |
| HTML decimal | ≡ |
| HTML hex | ≡ |
CSS content | "\2261" |
| JavaScript | "\u2261" |
| Python | "\u2261" |
| LaTeX | \equiv |
| URL encoded | %E2%89%A1 |
Because ≡ is a standard Unicode character (U+2261), 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 identical to symbol is used
It appears in mathematics and logic to state identity, such as "f(x) ≡ x²" meaning the equation holds for all values, unlike "=" which may only hold for specific ones. It also shows up in modular arithmetic, as in "17 ≡ 5 (mod 6)". Don't confuse it with the equals sign (=) or the approximately equal sign (≈).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ≡ and =? +
The equals sign (=) states two values are equal for specific cases, while ≡ shows an identity or equivalence that holds universally or by definition.
What does ≡ mean in modular arithmetic? +
It shows two numbers have the same remainder when divided by a given modulus, such as "14 ≡ 2 (mod 3)."
What is the Alt code for the identical to symbol? +
The Alt code for ≡ is Alt+240. Hold Alt, type 240 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ≡ on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for ≡. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "identical to", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the identical to 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: "\2261" and in JavaScript use "\u2261".