Almost Equal To ≈

≈ (U+2248) 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: Almost 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: ALMOST EQUAL TO (U+2248) is found in the Mathematical Operators block. It belongs to the Common script. The symbol is used to show near or approximate equality in math writing. Common math symbols indicate operations or comparisons in formulas and user interfaces. In history and use, it appears in formulas where exact equality is not claimed. It helps readers see a close match between two values. In user interfaces, it can denote a near match or a result that is close to a target. The symbol supports clear practice for expressing similarity without claiming exact sameness. Its role is simple: it marks a comparison in a way readers can quickly understand. The character’s name and code help it be found in documents and software. It is part of standard math notation across disciplines. The symbol stays readable in plain text and math typesetting. It fits both technical and educational contexts. It remains a useful tool for indicating near equality in formulas and interfaces.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+2248 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.