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U+2260 · Mathematical Operators

Not Equal Sign ≠

The not-equal sign, an equals sign with a slash through it, states that two values differ. It is standard in math and logic, and it appears in plain-text notes and documentation where programming alternatives like != or <> would look out of place. It is also handy in quick comparisons and notes, such as stating that correlation ≠ causation.

MacOption + Equals (=)
UnicodeU+2260
HTML≠
≠U+2260

Character codes

Unicode code pointU+2260
Decimal8800
HTML named entity≠
HTML (hex)≠
HTML (decimal)≠
CSS\2260
JavaScript\u2260
Python\u2260
UTF-8 bytesE2 89 A0
UTF-162260
URL-encoded%E2%89%A0

Character details

Official nameNOT EQUAL TO
Unicode blockMathematical Operators
General categoryMath Symbol (Sm)
SymbolHero categoryMath Symbols
DecompositionU+003D U+0338
EmojiNo

How to type ≠

Windows

  • In Microsoft Word or Outlook: type 2260 then press Alt + X.
  • Open Character Map (search “Character Map” in Start), tick “Advanced view”, search for “not equal to”, then Select and Copy.

Mac

  • Press Option + Equals (=) (US English keyboard layout).
  • Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search “not equal to”, and double-click the result.
  • With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 2260.

iPhone & Android

  • Tap Copy at the top of this page, then long-press where you want it and choose Paste.

Docs & web

  • Google Docs: Insert → Special characters, then search “not equal to” or enter U+2260.
  • HTML: ≠ or ≠
  • Excel / Google Sheets: =UNICHAR(8800)

Examples

  • 3 + 3 ≠ 7
  • x ≠ 0
  • Price ≠ value

Good to know

Don’t mix it up: It is sometimes confused with ≢ (U+2262, NOT IDENTICAL TO), which has three lines and negates identity or congruence.

Tip: On a Mac, press Option + Equals (=); in HTML, use ≠.

Display: the character itself is always the same code point, but its shape comes from the font on the device showing it. If you see an empty box, the font lacks this glyph—the text is still correct.

Guides

Common Math Symbols and Their Meanings How to Insert Symbols in Microsoft Word (5 Ways) How to Type Special Characters on a Mac HTML Entities Explained (With a Symbol Cheat Sheet)

Similar math symbols

N-Ary Product
Summation Sign
Minus Sign
Square Root Symbol
Infinity Symbol
Right Angle
Intersection
Union
Integral Sign
Therefore Sign
Because Sign
Approximately Equal Sign
Identical to
Less Than or Equal To
Greater Than or Equal To
Percent Sign
Plus Sign
Less-Than Sign
Equals Sign
Greater-Than Sign
Vertical Line
Tilde
Greek Reversed Lunate Epsilon Symbol
Per Ten Thousand Sign

See all 714 math symbols →

Questions

What is the Unicode for ≠?

It is U+2260 (NOT EQUAL TO), decimal 8800.

Is there a Windows Alt code for it?

No standard Alt code exists for this character. In Word type 2260 then Alt+X, or copy it from this page.

How do I type it on a Mac?

Option + Equals (=) on a US English keyboard, or use the Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space).

What is the HTML code?

Use the named entity ≠ or the numeric reference ≠.