How to type ≈
Fastest way on each device: Windows, Alt+247 on the numeric keypad; Mac, Option+X; iPhone and Android, copy and paste; Linux, Ctrl+Shift+U then 2248.
Windows
Hold Alt and type 247 on the numeric keypad, then let go of Alt.
In Microsoft Word you can also type 2248 and then press Alt+X.
Mac
Press Option+X on a US keyboard layout.
Or press Control+Command+Space, search for “almost equal to” and double-click ≈.
iPhone
Tap Copy above, then touch and hold where you want ≈ and tap Paste.
To type it from the keyboard, open Settings › General › Keyboard › Text Replacement, tap +, paste ≈ as the Phrase and add a Shortcut.
Android
Tap Copy above, then touch and hold where you want ≈ and tap Paste.
To type it from the keyboard in Gboard, open Gboard settings › Dictionary › Personal dictionary, tap +, paste ≈ and add a shortcut.
Linux
Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 2248, then press Space or Enter. This works in most GTK and IBus apps.
Word and Google Docs
Word: type 2248, then press Alt+X.
Google Docs: open Insert › Special characters and search for “almost equal to”.
Codes for ≈
| Unicode | U+2248 |
|---|---|
| Official name | ALMOST EQUAL TO |
| Block | Mathematical Operators |
| Added in | Unicode 1.1 |
| HTML named | ≈ |
| HTML decimal | ≈ |
| HTML hex | ≈ |
| CSS | content: "\2248"; |
| JavaScript | "\u2248" |
| Python | "\u2248" |
| UTF-8 bytes | E2 89 88 |
| Windows Alt code | Alt+247 |