How to Type Not Equal Sign ≠
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The not equal sign ≠ is a mathematical symbol meaning 'is not equal to.' It's used in equations, programming discussions, technical writing, and even casual conversation to express inequality or difference.
Most keyboards don't have a ≠ key, so many people resort to typing != or =/= instead. This guide shows you how to type the proper ≠ symbol on every platform: Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone, Android, and Linux.
All math symbols on this page are Unicode characters — they work in any application and display correctly on all devices.
When to reach for how to type not equal sign
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Not Equal Sign FAQ
The alt code for ≠ is Alt+8800. Hold Alt, type 8800 on the numeric keypad, then release. Num Lock must be enabled. In Microsoft Word, you can also type 2260 then press Alt+X.
Press Option+= (Option plus the equals key) on Mac to type ≠ directly. This is a built-in keyboard shortcut that works in all Mac applications.
≠ is the proper mathematical not-equal symbol used in formal writing and typography. != is the programming equivalent used in code (JavaScript, Python, C, etc.). In non-code contexts, ≠ is the correct symbol to use.
In Google Docs, go to Insert → Special Characters, then search for 'not equal'. You can also copy ≠ from this page and paste with Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac).
The Unicode code point for ≠ is U+2260 (NOT EQUAL TO). In HTML, use ≠ or ≠. In CSS, use content: '\2260'. In URL encoding, it's %E2%89%A0.
On Mac, press Option+X for ≈. On Windows, use Alt+8776 on the numpad. On Chromebook/Linux, use Unicode input 2248. You can also copy ≈ from the symbol grid on this page.