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Almost equal to
U+2248 · Mathematical Operators
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Meaning and uses
The almost equal to sign, two wavy lines. It marks an approximation, as in π ≈ 3.14, and it is handy for rough estimates.
Unicode details
≈ is the Unicode character named ALMOST EQUAL TO, code point U+2248, in the Mathematical Operators block. It was added in Unicode 1.1 in 1993, and Unicode classes it as a maths symbol (general category Sm).
It is not an emoji, so it keeps the colour and size of the text around it.
| Unicode name | ALMOST EQUAL TO |
|---|---|
| Code point | U+2248 |
| Block | Mathematical Operators |
| Added | Unicode 1.1 (1993) |
| UTF-8 bytes | E2 89 88 |
| UTF-16 | 2248 |
| HTML | ≈ or ≈ |
Tap a code to copy it:
How to type ≈
- On any device, tap the copy button above, then paste with a long press on a phone, Ctrl+V on Windows or Cmd+V on a Mac.
- In Microsoft Word on Windows, type 2248 and then press Alt+X to turn the code into ≈.
- On a Mac, press Control+Cmd+Space to open the Character Viewer, then search for “almost equal to”.
- On Linux, most desktops accept Ctrl+Shift+U, then 2248, then Space or Enter.
- In HTML, use
≈or≈. In a CSScontentproperty, use"\2248".