Approximately Equal To Symbol
≅ means “approximately equal to,” indicating two values are close but not exactly the same.
U+2245
The symbol ≅ is used to express “approximately equal to.” You’ll see it in math, science, and technical writing when exact equality isn’t appropriate. It can also help communicate similarity in measurements or estimates.
Approximately Equal To Symbol Meaning
≅ (U+2245) means “approximately equal to” or “approximately the same as.” It signals that two quantities are close enough to be treated as equal for a given context, even though they may differ slightly. In mathematics, it often appears when values come from measurements, approximations, or computations with rounding. In scientific and engineering notes, ≅ can be used to compare an observed value with a predicted one within an acceptable tolerance. In writing outside formal math, it can communicate “close match” without implying exact equality. If you need strict identity, use a different symbol such as = or ≡.
Common uses
- •Expressing measurement tolerance (e.g., a measured length is close to a target)
- •Communicating rounded or estimated results in calculations
- •Comparing observed and predicted values in science and engineering notes
- •Denoting similarity between quantities in data summaries and reports
- •Labeling approximate thresholds in technical documentation
Examples
≅ Approximately Equal To Symbol
- ≅The value is ≅ 3.14 based on rounding.
- ≅Observed speed ≅ 25 m/s under typical conditions.
- ≅Angle A ≅ angle B within measurement error.
- ≅The radius is ≅ 10 cm for practical calculations.
- ≅pH is ≅ 7.0 in a neutral solution.
Variations
Ready to copy
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+2245 | |
| HTML Entity | ≅ | |
| HTML Code | ≅ | |
| CSS | \2245 | |
| Alt Code | Alt + 8773 | |
| Decimal | 8773 |
How to type Approximately Equal To Symbol (≅)
On Windows
Hold Alt and type 8773 on the numeric keypad. In Word, type 2245 then press Alt + X.
On Mac
Switch to the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, then hold Option and type 2245. Or press Control + Command + Space and search.
On Linux
Press Control + Shift + U, type 2245, then press Enter or Space.
Anywhere
Copy ≅ with the button above and paste it wherever you need it — this works on every device and in every app, with no keyboard shortcut to remember.
FAQ
What does the symbol ≅ mean?
≅ means “approximately equal to,” indicating two values are close but not exactly the same.
Is ≅ the same as = (equals)?
No. = indicates exact equality, while ≅ indicates approximate equality within a tolerance or estimation context.
How do I type or copy ≅ in code?
You can use the Unicode value U+2245. Examples include HTML entity ≅ and CSS/Unicode escape forms like \2245 or \u{2245}.
When should I use ≅ instead of a different math symbol?
Use ≅ when you want to express “close enough” equality. Use other symbols (like = for exact equality, ≡ for specific equivalence meanings) when your context requires that distinction.