Approximately Equal To Or The Image Of Symbol
≒ means approximately equal to, or the image of, depending on context.
U+2252
The symbol ≒ (Unicode U+2252) is a math notation used to express approximation. You may also see it in contexts that describe the image of something.
Approximately Equal To Or The Image Of Symbol Meaning
≒ is commonly read as “approximately equal to,” indicating two values are close but not exactly the same. In mathematical writing, it helps communicate estimates, measurements, or results rounded to a certain precision. The Unicode name also includes “the image of,” which can appear in more specialized mathematical or logic contexts where a mapping produces an output (the image) of a given object. In practice, most everyday uses you’ll encounter are approximation-related, such as describing experimental results, rounded calculations, or simplified models.
Common uses
- •Indicating rounded or estimated values in calculations
- •Comparing measurements that are close but not exact
- •Writing approximation statements in proofs or explanations
- •Labeling charts or tables where values are estimated
- •Expressing “image of” in mathematical notation for mappings
Examples
≒ Approximately equal to (or the image of)
- ≒The area is ≒ 12.5 square units.
- ≒This value is ≒ 3.14 after rounding.
- ≒Expected time ≒ 2 hours for most cases.
- ≒For large n, f(n) ≒ n log(n).
- ≒Under the mapping, b ≒ f(a) is treated as the image relationship.
Variations
Ready to copy
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+2252 | |
| HTML Entity | ≒ | |
| HTML Code | ≒ | |
| CSS | \2252 | |
| Alt Code | Alt + 8786 | |
| Decimal | 8786 |
How to type Approximately Equal To Or The Image Of Symbol (≒)
On Windows
Hold Alt and type 8786 on the numeric keypad. In Word, type 2252 then press Alt + X.
On Mac
Switch to the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, then hold Option and type 2252. Or press Control + Command + Space and search.
On Linux
Press Control + Shift + U, type 2252, 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 most of the time?
Most commonly, ≒ means “approximately equal to,” signaling that two quantities are close but not exactly equal.
Is ≒ the same as ≈?
They’re closely related and both indicate approximation, but they’re different characters. Prefer using the exact symbol you’re aiming for in typography or formal notation.
When would ≒ mean “the image of”?
It can appear in specialized mathematical contexts involving mappings, where an output is referred to as an image of a given object.
How can I copy or insert ≒ in code or text?
You can copy the character directly, or insert it using Unicode U+2252 / HTML entity ≒ / CSS escape \\\\2252 / JavaScript escape \\\\u{2252}.