Not Equal Sign (≠): Meaning, Copy, Keyboard Shortcuts & How to Type It

The not equal sign (≠) is a mathematical comparison symbol used to show that two values, numbers, expressions, or quantities are not the same. It is the opposite of the equal sign (=), which indicates that two values are identical.

You can use the ≠ symbol in mathematics, programming, spreadsheets, coding languages, and technical documents. This guide explains what the not equal sign means, how to copy and paste it, and how to type it on Windows, Mac, Word, Google Docs, Chromebook, iPhone, and Android devices.

Copy and Paste the Not Equal Sign

Copy the not equal sign below with one click:

You can copy this symbol and paste it anywhere, including documents, websites, social media posts, coding editors, and mathematical notes.

If you want to find more commonly used characters, see our guide to symbols on a keyboard.

What Does the Not Equal Sign (≠) Mean?

The not equal sign (≠) means that two values are different or do not have the same value.

It is formed by placing a diagonal slash through the equal sign (=), showing that the equality condition is rejected.

How to Read the Not Equal Sign

The symbol ≠ can be read as:

• “Not equal to”
• “Is not equal to”
• “Does not equal”

For example:

5 ≠ 10

This is read as:

“Five is not equal to ten.”

Another example:

15 ≠ 20

This statement is true because 15 and 20 have different values.

How to Type the Not Equal Sign on a Keyboard

The method for typing ≠ depends on your device, operating system, keyboard layout, and application.

Unlike common characters such as letters and numbers, the not equal sign usually does not have a dedicated key on a standard keyboard.

Not Equal Sign on Windows

Windows keyboards generally do not have a dedicated key for the not equal symbol. You can insert it using an Alt code, Character Map, or copy and paste.

Using the Alt Code

To try the Windows Alt code:

1. Turn on Num Lock.
2. Hold the Alt key.
3. Type 8800 using the numeric keypad.
4. Release the Alt key.

The result is:

≠

The Alt-code method requires a numeric keypad and may not work in every application. If it does not work, you can use Character Map or copy and paste the symbol.

How to Type an Em Dash (—) on Windows, Mac & Any Device

Not Equal Sign on Mac

On a standard Mac keyboard layout, you can type the not equal sign using:

Option (⌥) + =

The result is:

≠

Keyboard shortcuts can vary depending on your selected keyboard layout and application.

If you’re interested in typing other special characters, you can also learn how to type @ on a keyboard.

Not Equal Sign in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word provides several ways to insert the ≠ symbol.

Method 1: Using the Unicode Shortcut

In a Word document:

1. Type 2260.
2. Press Alt + X.
3. Word converts the code into:

≠

Method 2: Insert Symbol

You can also insert the symbol through Word’s symbol menu:

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Go to Insert.
3. Select Symbol.
4. Choose More Symbols.
5. Find the not equal symbol.
6. Click Insert.

Need more keyboard symbols? Explore our guide to the [Diameter Symbol] and other useful characters.

Not Equal Sign in Google Docs

To insert ≠ in Google Docs:

1. Open your document.
2. Click Insert.
3. Select Special characters.
4. Search for not equal.
5. Select the ≠ symbol.

You can also copy and paste the symbol directly:

≠

Not Equal Sign on Chromebook

Chromebooks do not normally have a dedicated keyboard key for the ≠ symbol.

You can use Google Docs or copy and paste the character.

Google Docs Method

1. Open Google Docs.
2. Go to Insert → Special characters.
3. Search for not equal.
4. Select ≠.

Copy and Paste Method

Copy:

≠

Then paste it wherever you need the symbol.

Not Equal Sign on iPhone and Android

Mobile keyboards may not provide a dedicated key for the ≠ symbol.

iPhone

You can copy the symbol:

≠

and paste it into a message, document, note, or other application.

You can also create a text replacement shortcut.

For example, you could set:

neq

to automatically replace it with:

≠

Android

On Android devices, open the symbols or special-characters section of your keyboard and check whether the mathematical symbols include ≠.

If it is not available, simply copy and paste:

≠

Not Equal Sign Alt Code

The not equal sign has the following character information:

How to Use the Alt Code

1. Enable Num Lock.
2. Hold Alt.
3. Enter 8800 using the numeric keypad.
4. Release Alt.

The result is:

≠

Because Alt-code behavior can vary between applications and keyboard configurations, use Character Map or copy and paste if the shortcut does not work.

Not Equal Sign in LaTeX

LaTeX provides commands for writing the not equal symbol in mathematical documents.

Use:

\neq

or:

\ne

For example:

a \neq b

This produces:

a ≠ b

Both \neq and \ne represent the not equal relation in LaTeX.

If you’re working with other mathematical characters, you may also want to learn how to type the pi symbol on a keyboard.

Not Equal Sign in Programming

Programming languages usually use an operator instead of the mathematical ≠ symbol.

The most common form is:

!=

For example:

if (x != y) {
    console.log("Values are different");
}

The exact operator can vary between programming languages, but != is widely used to mean “not equal.”

Difference Between ≠ and !=

For example:

Mathematics:

10 ≠ 20

Programming:

10 != 20

Both express the idea that the two values are not equal.

Not Equal Sign in Excel and Google Sheets

Excel and Google Sheets generally use the <> operator to represent “not equal.”

For example:

=A1<>B1

This formula checks whether the values in A1 and B1 are different.

Although <> has the same logical meaning as ≠, it is the standard comparison operator used in spreadsheet formulas.

Not Equal Sign in HTML

HTML supports several ways to display the not equal symbol.

HTML Entity

≠

Output:

≠

Decimal HTML Code

≠

Output:

≠

Hexadecimal HTML Code

≠

Output:

≠

Not Equal Sign Unicode

The Unicode information for the not equal symbol is:

Unicode gives the symbol a standardized character code so computers and applications can identify and display it consistently.

Not Equal vs. Other Comparison Symbols

Mathematics uses different comparison symbols to show relationships between values.

The ≠ symbol specifically means that the values on either side are not equal.

Not Equal Sign in Math

The not equal symbol is widely used in mathematics to compare numbers, expressions, and mathematical conditions.

Number Comparisons

For example:

15 ≠ 20

The statement is true because 15 and 20 have different values.

Expression Comparisons

The symbol can also compare mathematical expressions.

For example:

2 + 3 ≠ 10

Because:

2 + 3 = 5

and 5 is not equal to 10.

Inequalities

The not equal sign can be used when a value is restricted from being equal to a particular number.

For example:

x ≠ 0

This means:

“x cannot be zero.”

This type of notation is common in algebra, calculus, equations, and mathematical conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Not Equal Sign

How do I type the not equal sign?

You can type or insert ≠ using different methods depending on your device:

• Windows: Alt + 8800 using the numeric keypad
• Mac: Option + =
• Microsoft Word: Type 2260 and press Alt + X
• Google Docs: Insert → Special characters
• Mobile: Copy and paste or use available special characters

What is the Alt code for the not equal sign?

The commonly used Windows Alt code for the not equal sign is:

Alt + 8800

Use the numeric keypad with Num Lock enabled.

How do I type ≠ on Mac?

On a standard Mac keyboard layout, press:

Option (⌥) + =

to insert the not equal symbol.

How do I type ≠ in Word?

In Microsoft Word:

1. Type 2260.
2. Press Alt + X.

Word converts it into:

≠

You can also use Insert → Symbol → More Symbols.

What is the difference between ≠ and !=?

≠ is the mathematical not equal symbol, while != is a commonly used not-equal operator in programming.

Both indicate that two values are not equal.

What is the Unicode for the not equal sign?

The Unicode code point for the not equal sign is:

U+2260

Its decimal value is:

8800

How do I copy and paste the not equal sign?

Simply copy this symbol:

≠

Then paste it wherever you need it, including documents, websites, messages, spreadsheets, and notes.