Not Equal Sign (≠): Meaning, Copy & 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 equal. It is the opposite of the equal sign (=), which indicates that two values are equal.

The ≠ symbol is commonly used in mathematics, programming, spreadsheets, coding, and technical documents. In this guide, you’ll learn what the not equal sign means, how to copy and paste it, and how to type it on Windows, Mac, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Chromebook, iPhone, and Android.

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?

What Does the Not Equal Sign (≠) Mean?

The not equal sign (≠) means that two values, numbers, expressions, or quantities are not equal. It shows that the values on either side of the symbol have different values.

The symbol is formed by placing a diagonal slash through the equal sign (=), indicating that the equality condition does not hold.

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 letters, numbers, and common punctuation marks, the not equal sign usually does not have a dedicated key on a standard keyboard. You can insert it using a keyboard shortcut, Unicode method, character tool, or copy and paste.

Not Equal Sign Alt Code on Windows

Windows keyboards generally do not have a dedicated key for the not equal sign (≠). On Windows, you can use an Alt code, Character Map, or another symbol-insertion method.

To try the Alt-code method:

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

If supported by your application and keyboard configuration, the result is:

≠

If the Alt-code method does not work, you can use Character Map or copy and paste the symbol instead.

Not Equal Sign on Mac

On a Mac, the not equal sign can be typed using:

Option (⌥) + =

The result is:

≠

Keyboard shortcuts can vary depending on your selected keyboard layout and application. If this shortcut does not produce the symbol, you can also use macOS’s character and symbol viewer to find and insert ≠.

For another special-character shortcut, see our guide on [how to type an em dash (—) on Windows, Mac, and any device].

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 not equal sign (≠), including a Unicode shortcut and the built-in Symbol menu. These methods are useful when the symbol is not available directly on your keyboard.

Method 1: Using the Unicode Shortcut

The quickest way to insert the not equal symbol in Microsoft Word is to use its Unicode conversion shortcut.

1. Open a Microsoft Word document.
2. Place the cursor where you want to insert the symbol.
3. Type 2260.
4. Press Alt + X.
5. Word converts the Unicode code into the not equal sign:

≠

This method uses the Unicode value U+2260 and works directly in Word. It is convenient when you need to insert the symbol without opening the symbol library.

Method 2: Insert Symbol

You can also insert the not equal sign through Microsoft Word’s built-in Symbol menu:

1. Open your Word document.
2. Place the cursor where you want the symbol.
3. Go to Insert.
4. Select Symbol.
5. Choose More Symbols.
6. Find the not equal sign (≠) in the symbol list.
7. Click Insert.

This method is useful if you do not remember the Unicode code or prefer to select special characters visually.

For more special characters and keyboard symbols, see our guides to the [Diameter Symbol] and other useful keyboard characters.

Not Equal Sign in Google Docs

You can insert the not equal sign (≠) in Google Docs using the Special characters tool:

1. Open your Google Docs document.
2. Place the cursor where you want to insert the symbol.
3. Go to Insert → Special characters.
4. In the search box, type not equal.
5. Select the ≠ symbol.

Google Docs will insert the not equal symbol at the cursor position.

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 not equal sign (≠). If you are using Google Docs, the easiest option is to insert it through the Special characters menu.

Google Docs Method

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

Copy and Paste Method

If you need the symbol quickly, copy it here:

≠

You can then paste it into Google Docs, email, messages, websites, or other apps that support the character.

Not Equal Sign on iPhone and Android

Most mobile keyboards do not have a dedicated key for the not equal sign (≠). The easiest method may be to copy and paste the symbol or use a special-character feature if your keyboard provides one.

iPhone

To use the not equal symbol on an iPhone, copy it:

≠

Then paste it into a message, note, document, email, or another app.

If you use the symbol frequently, you can also create a text replacement. For example, set neq as the shortcut and use ≠ as the replacement text. When you type neq, your iPhone can automatically replace it with the not equal symbol.

Android

On Android, open the symbols or special-characters section of your keyboard and check whether the mathematical symbols include ≠. The available symbols can vary between keyboard apps and Android devices.

If the symbol is not available, copy and paste it instead:

≠

This works in messages, notes, documents, browsers, and other apps that support Unicode characters.

Not Equal Sign in LaTeX

LaTeX provides simple commands for writing the not equal symbol (≠) in mathematical documents and equations.

Use either of these commands:

\neq

or:

\ne

For example:

a \neq b

This produces:

a ≠ b

Both \neq and \ne represent the not-equal relation in LaTeX and are commonly used in mathematical notation.

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 a comparison operator rather than the mathematical not equal symbol (≠).

The most common not-equal operator is:

!=

For example:

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

Here, != checks whether the value of x is different from the value of y. If the two values are not equal, the condition evaluates as true.

The exact syntax can vary between programming languages, but != is widely used to represent not equal in conditional statements and other comparisons.

Difference Between ≠ and !=

For example:

In mathematics:

10 ≠ 20

In programming:

10 != 20

Both express the same basic idea: 10 is not equal to 20. However, ≠ is the mathematical symbol, while != is the programming operator commonly used to perform a not-equal comparison.

Not Equal Sign in Excel and Google Sheets

Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets generally use the <> operator to represent not equal in spreadsheet formulas.

For example:

=A1<>B1

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

For example:

The <> operator has the same logical meaning as the mathematical not equal symbol ≠, but they are used differently. In Excel and Google Sheets formulas, <> is the standard not-equal comparison operator.

If you simply want to display the ≠ symbol in a spreadsheet cell, you can copy and paste it directly:

≠

Not Equal Sign in HTML

HTML provides several ways to display the not equal symbol (≠), including a named HTML entity, decimal character reference, and hexadecimal character reference.

HTML Entity

Use the HTML entity:

≠

Output:

≠

Decimal HTML Code

You can also use the decimal HTML character reference:

≠

Output:

≠

Hexadecimal HTML Code

The hexadecimal HTML character reference is:

≠

Output:

≠

These HTML codes are useful when you need to insert the not equal character directly into HTML source code.

Not Equal Sign Unicode

The not equal symbol has a standardized Unicode code point that allows computers, operating systems, browsers, and applications to identify and display the character consistently.

The Unicode code point for the not equal sign is U+2260. This same character can be represented in different environments using its Unicode value, HTML character references, or other symbol-insertion methods.

Not Equal vs. Other Comparison Symbols

Mathematics uses different comparison symbols and inequality symbols to show the relationship between two values, numbers, or expressions.

The ≠ symbol specifically means that the values or expressions on either side are not equal. It is commonly used in mathematical equations, inequalities, algebra, and other forms of mathematical notation.

Not Equal Sign in Math

The not equal sign (≠) is widely used in mathematics to compare numbers, mathematical expressions, variables, and conditions.

Number Comparisons

The symbol can show that two numbers have different values.

For example:

15 ≠ 20

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

Another example is:

7 ≠ 7

This statement is false because both sides have the same value.

Expression Comparisons

The not equal symbol can also compare mathematical expressions.

For example:

2 + 3 ≠ 10

This is true because:

2 + 3 = 5

and 5 is not equal to 10.

The expressions on either side of ≠ do not have the same value.

Inequalities

The not equal sign can be used when a mathematical condition excludes a particular value.

For example:

x ≠ 0

This means:

“x cannot be zero.”

This type of notation is common in algebra, calculus, equations, inequalities, and mathematical conditions. For example, a denominator cannot be zero, so a mathematical expression may include the restriction x ≠ 0.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Not Equal Sign

What does the ≠ symbol mean?

The ≠ symbol means “not equal to.” It is used in mathematics and other contexts to show that two values, numbers, or expressions have different values.

How do I type the not equal sign on a keyboard?

The method depends on your device and application. On Windows, you can try Alt + 8800 using the numeric keypad. On Mac, you can use Option + =. On iPhone and Android, you can use the available symbol options or copy and paste ≠.

How do I type ≠ on Mac?

On a Mac, you can type the not equal sign using Option + = in applications that support the shortcut. You can also insert ≠ through the macOS Character Viewer or copy and paste the symbol.

How do I type ≠ on iPhone or Android?

The not equal sign is not usually available as a dedicated key on standard iPhone or Android keyboards. You can copy and paste ≠, or check the symbols and special-character section of your keyboard if it provides the symbol.

What is the Alt code for the not equal sign?

The commonly used Windows Alt code for the not equal sign is Alt + 8800. Turn on Num Lock, hold the Alt key, enter 8800 using the numeric keypad, and release Alt to insert ≠. Availability can vary depending on the application and keyboard configuration.

What is the difference between ≠ and !=?

≠ is the mathematical symbol meaning “not equal to.” != is a programming comparison operator commonly used to mean “not equal.” The exact syntax can vary between programming languages.

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, and its hexadecimal value is 2260.