Approximately equal to (≈) in HTML
The almost equal to sign is the double tilde used for approximation. Its named reference is ≈ and its code point is U+2248.
At a glance
- Character
- ≈
- Named entity
- ≈
- Decimal reference
- ≈
- Hex reference
- ≈
- Unicode code point
- U+2248
- Unicode name
- ALMOST EQUAL TO
- In the entity reference
- Math
In detail
This is the general purpose approximation sign: two stacked tildes, used whenever a value has been rounded or estimated. Its Unicode name is almost equal to, and its entity name is a leftover from an older reading of the character as an asymptotic relation, which is why the name and the meaning do not obviously match.
Three near neighbours mean different things. The single tilde at U+223C is the asymptotic or similarity relation. The tilde over an equals sign at U+2245 means congruent to, which in geometry is a statement about shape and size rather than about rounding. Three horizontal bars at U+2261 mean identical to or defined as, which is stronger than equality rather than weaker.
The distinction matters because using the wrong one changes a claim. Writing that two triangles are approximately equal when you mean congruent understates a proof, and writing that a rounded figure is identical to an exact one overstates it. In non technical copy the safest move is often to keep the ordinary equals sign and say about or roughly in words.
One practical note for interface text: an approximation sign in front of a number in a dashboard tells the reader the figure is estimated, which is genuinely useful, but only if the tooltip or caption explains what the estimate is based on. A bare sign reads as hedging rather than as precision about imprecision.
Examples
<p>The file is 1,048,576 bytes, so ≈1 MB.</p>
<p>π ≈ 3.14159</p><p>similar to: a ∼ b</p>
<p>congruent to: a ≅ b</p>
<p>identical to: a ≡ b</p>∼ is U+223C and ≅ is U+2245. ≡ is U+2261.
Things that catch people out
- The entity name is ≈, not ≈. The name most people guess first does not exist and renders as literal text.
- Using the congruent sign for a rounded number is a real error in geometric writing, where congruence is an exact claim.
- An estimate marked only with this character and no note about its basis reads as an unwillingness to commit rather than as a precise statement of uncertainty.
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Related HTML entities
All html entities →Not equal to sign (≠) in HTML
The not equal to sign at U+2260, its entity forms, why the composed and combining versions differ, and how it compares to the operators used in code.
Infinity symbol (∞) in HTML
The infinity sign at U+221E, its entity forms, how it differs from the permanent paper and infinity emoji characters, and its use in pricing and limits.
Mathematical operator entities: sets, logic and calculus
Named entities for summation, integral, partial differential, set membership, union, intersection and the logical connectives, with their code points.
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The per mille sign at U+2030, its entity forms, where parts per thousand are the natural unit, and the per ten thousand character used for basis points.
Square root symbol (√) in HTML
The radical sign at U+221A, its entity forms, why it has no overbar, when parentheses are compulsory, and the cube and fourth root characters.
Fraction characters: one half, one quarter, three quarters
The vulgar fraction characters at U+00BC, U+00BD and U+00BE, their entity forms, the wider fraction block, and when a fraction slash is the better answer.
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