Much Less-Than ≪

≪ (U+226A) 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: Much Less-Than 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 symbol MUCH LESS-THAN (U+226A) sits in the Mathematical Operators block. It marks a relation where one value is far smaller than another. In practice, math symbols indicate operations or comparisons in formulas and user interfaces. This sign helps readers show a large gap between numbers, not just a simple “less than.” It appears in equations, graphs, and data displays where a difference is substantial. In text, it can stand for a strong inequality or a practical limit. In formulas, it can guide reasoning about thresholds or bounds. The symbol’s Unicode code point is U+226A, which helps digital systems render it correctly. On paper or screens, it is used with care to avoid crowding a line or confusing readers. Users see it in textbooks, software help prompts, and scientific notes. The usage is part of common math symbols that indicate operations or comparisons in formulas and user interfaces, making it easier to convey large gaps without extra words.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+226A 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.