Approximately Equal To ≅

≅ (U+2245) is a standard Unicode character that you can copy and paste anywhere text is accepted. This page provides a concise reference with safe tips, internal links, and practical guidance so you can use it reliably across apps and platforms.

What it is and where it’s used: Approximately Equal To is part of the Symbols family (block: Mathematical Operators). If you need styled or decorative alternatives, try our Fancy Text tool to generate compatible text that works in most modern interfaces.

History & usage: The character U+2245, named APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO, is part of the Mathematical Operators block. It is used to show that two values are close in value but not exactly the same. In formulas, people use it to compare results or estimates. It also appears in user interfaces where a value is an approximation of another. The symbol looks like a equals sign with a tilde in one version, and it is read as roughly equal. In practice, writers choose it when precision is not required or when a measurement has an error margin. The symbol communicates uncertainty without repeating a full calculation. Its history comes from the need to express mathematical approximation clearly. This helps avoid misreadings in notes, textbooks, and software tools. When you see U+2245, you should understand that the two sides are close but not identical. It is a standard choice in many technical fields for quick, visual comparison. As usage continues, the symbol remains a simple, strong cue for estimation and comparison in both formulas and interfaces.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+2245 in many development tools or editors. Some operating systems provide a character viewer or input palette that lets you search by name or code and insert the glyph into documents.

Display and fallback: if you see an empty box (tofu) or a placeholder rectangle, the active font might not include this codepoint. Switching to a font with broader Unicode coverage or using a fallback font usually fixes the issue. On the web, ensure the page’s font stack includes a general‑purpose fallback.

Related references: browse the Categories for similar characters. When choosing a symbol, prefer the official codepoint for semantic clarity and better compatibility with search, copy, and accessibility tooling.

See our category page for related symbols.