How to type ≤ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+243.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 243 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The less than or equal to symbol ≤ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "less than or equal to". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ≤, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ≤ on a Mac
Press Option+, on the US keyboard layout. Press the first combination, release it, then press the second key.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "less than or equal 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 ;less 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 2264 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 2264 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(8804) returns the symbol.
How to type ≤ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "less than or equal to" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(8804).
≤ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ≤ |
| HTML decimal | ≤ |
| HTML hex | ≤ |
CSS content | "\2264" |
| JavaScript | "\u2264" |
| Python | "\u2264" |
| LaTeX | \leq |
| URL encoded | %E2%89%A4 |
Because ≤ is a standard Unicode character (U+2264), 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 less than or equal to symbol is used
Used in math, statistics, and programming to express limits or conditions, such as "x ≤ 10" or "age ≤ 65." It also appears in coding comparisons and inequalities in science formulas. Sometimes confused with < (strictly less than), which excludes equality.
Frequently asked questions
What does ≤ mean in math? +
It means the value on the left is less than or equal to the value on the right, allowing for equality between the two.
What is the difference between ≤ and <? +
< means strictly less than, excluding equality, while ≤ allows the two values to be equal.
What is the Alt code for the less than or equal to symbol? +
The Alt code for ≤ is Alt+243. Hold Alt, type 243 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ≤ on a Mac? +
Press Option+, on a Mac with the US keyboard layout. You can also open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space and search for "less than or equal to".
How do I type the less than or equal 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: "\2264" and in JavaScript use "\u2264".