Approximately equal symbol
Copy ≈ with one tap or type it with Alt + 247.
U+2248
Approximately equal symbol and related symbols
6 symbols, each with its codes and shortcuts.
| Symbol | Name | Code | HTML | Windows | Mac | LaTeX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almost equal to | U+2248 | ≈ | Alt + 247 | Option + X | \approx | |
| Asymptotically equal to | U+2243 | ≃ | \simeq | |||
| Approximately equal to | U+2245 | ≅ | \cong | |||
| Tilde operator | U+223C | ∼ | \sim | |||
| Approximately equal to or the image of | U+2252 | ≒ | ||||
| Triple tilde | U+224B | ≋ |
What ≈ means
The ≈ sign means two values are close but not exactly equal, as in π ≈ 3.14. A single tilde ~ is a common informal stand in.
Common uses: estimates, rounded results, science and engineering notes.
- Unicode name
- Almost Equal To
- Code point
- U+2248
- Windows
- Alt + 247
- Mac
- Option + X
How to type ≈
Copy and paste
Tap the ≈ above or any symbol in the table. It goes straight to your clipboard.
Windows
Hold Alt and type 247 on the number pad, then let go of Alt. In Word, type 2248 and press Alt + X. Anywhere else, press Windows key + . (period) and search the symbols tab.
Mac
Press Option + X. The Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) finds any symbol by name.
iPhone and Android
Copy it from this page, or set up a text replacement in your keyboard settings so a short code like ;sym turns into the symbol.
HTML
Use ≈ or ≈.
LaTeX
Use \approx in math mode.
Questions people ask
How do I type ≈ on a keyboard?
On Windows, hold Alt and type 247 on the number pad. On a Mac, press Option + X.
How do I type ≈ in Word?
Type 2248 and press Alt + X straight after it. Word turns the code into ≈.
What does ≈ mean?
The ≈ sign means two values are close but not exactly equal, as in π ≈ 3.14. A single tilde ~ is a common informal stand in.
Where is ≈ used?
Estimates, rounded results, science and engineering notes.
More symbols
Updated November 13, 2026