What is the Unicode code point for the approximately equal symbol?

The approximately equal sign is U+2248 in the Unicode standard, distinct from the single tilde "~" used informally.

What is the HTML entity for the approximately equal symbol?

Use ≈ or the numeric entity ≈ in HTML. Both render as ≈.

How do I type the approximately equal symbol in LaTeX?

Use \approx inside math mode, for example $\pi \approx 3.14$, which renders as pi ≈ 3.14.

How do I type the approximately equal symbol on a Mac?

Press Option+X on a US keyboard. This works in most macOS apps, including Pages, Safari, and Mail.

How do I type the approximately equal symbol on Windows?

In Microsoft Word, type 2248 then press Alt+X to convert it to ≈. Outside Word, use the Character Map app or copy the symbol from a page like this one.

Is "~" the same as the approximately equal symbol?

No. A single tilde "~" is often used as a shorthand substitute, but the actual approximately equal sign is a distinct double-tilde character (U+2248). Use the real symbol in math writing, prose, and print.

Approximately Equal Symbol

Name: Approximately Equal Symbol
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Copy the approximately equal symbol (≈) and find the exact Unicode value, HTML entity, LaTeX command, or keyboard shortcut for your platform.

Approximately Equal Symbol

Click the symbol to copy it

Formats

Character ≈

Unicode U+2248

HTML entity ≈

HTML decimal ≈

LaTeX \approx

CSS escape \2248

JS / JSON escape ≈

Click any row to copy that exact string.

Keyboard Shortcuts

System	Shortcut	Notes
Windows (Word)		Type 2248 then press Alt+X to convert it.
Windows (general)		No plain Alt code exists; use Character Map or copy the symbol above.
Mac		Works in most macOS apps on a US keyboard.
Linux (GTK)		Type the hex code, then press Enter or Space.
LaTeX		Use inside math mode, for example $\pi \approx 3.14$.

Try it

Enter two values to build a ready-to-paste approximation.

≈

pi ≈ 3.14

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Summary

Copy the approximately equal symbol (≈) and find the exact Unicode value, HTML entity, LaTeX command, or keyboard shortcut for your platform.

How it works

Click the large approximately equal symbol to copy it to your clipboard.
Or click any format in the list (Unicode, HTML entity, LaTeX, CSS escape) to copy that exact string.
Use the shortcut table to type the symbol directly from your keyboard on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Paste the symbol anywhere: documents, spreadsheets, code, or chat.

Use cases

Write approximations in math homework or lecture notes, such as pi ≈ 3.14.
Insert the approximately equal symbol into a LaTeX document with \approx.
Show an estimated value in a spec sheet or slide without spelling out "approximately".
Add the approximately equal symbol to code, CSS content, or HTML without breaking encoding.
Learn the keyboard shortcut so you never need to look it up again.
Copy the correct HTML entity for a web page instead of pasting a raw Unicode character.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-22 · Reviewed by Nham Vu