HTML Entity for Approximately But Not Actually Equal To (≆)
Beginner
6 min read
Updated: Sep 2026
1 example
Unicode U+2246
Definition
What Is Approximately But Not Actually Equal To?
Approximately but not actually equal to (≆) is Unicode U+2246 in the Mathematical Operators block. It marks that two values are close in an approximate sense yet not equal. HTML has no standard named entity — use numeric or CSS forms (or type the character in UTF-8).
Remember
Character ≆
Unicode U+2246
Hex entity ≆
Decimal ≆
Named entity (none)
CSS escape \2246
Not the same ≈ U+2248 · ≅ U+2245
All of these produce the same glyph: ≆. Prefer typing ≆ in UTF-8 when you can; use ≆ / ≆ or CSS for generated content. The URL path keeps the legacy spelling actuall; titles and prose use actually.
Approximately-but-not-actually-equal symbol in common study contexts.
Inline matha ≆ b
Large glyph≆
vs. related operators≆ not actually · ≈ almost · ≅ approx
Monospacex ≆ y
With entitiesHex: ≆ | Decimal: ≆
Code
Complete HTML Example
One page that shows ≆ with hex, decimal, CSS escape, and a typed character. Use View Output or open the live editor.
Hex + Decimal + CSS + Typed
Four ways to produce ≆ in a single document (no named entity).
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Approximately But Not Actually Equal To (≆) in HTML</title>
<style>
#point::after {
content: "\2246";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Approx. not equal using Hex Code: ≆</p>
<p>Approx. not equal using HTML Code: ≆</p>
<p id="point">Approx. not equal using CSS Entity: </p>
<p>Typed directly: ≆</p>
</body>
</html>
Approx. not equal using Hex Code: ≆
Approx. not equal using HTML Code: ≆
Approx. not equal using CSS Entity: ≆
Typed directly: ≆
How It Works
1. Hex:U+2246 → ≆ in HTML. The browser turns it into ≆.
2. Decimal: same code point as 8774 → ≆. Same result as hex.
3. CSS: use \2246 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ≆ after the paragraph text.
4. Typed ≆: fine in UTF-8 source. All four lines show the same glyph.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with approximately but not actually equal to (≆).
Named
No &name; form
Unlike ≈ (≈), U+2246 has no standard named entity — use numeric references.
≈
Not almost equal
≆ is “approximately but not actually equal.” For almost equal use ≈.
≅
Not approximately equal
≅ (U+2245) is a different Mathematical Operators relation.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\2246 belongs in CSS. ≆ / ≆ belong in HTML.
Fonts
Use math-capable fonts
Some UI fonts omit Mathematical Operators. Prefer fonts with solid math coverage.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ≆, not ≆.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Approximately but not actually equal to (U+2246) and its entity forms (≆, ≆, CSS \\2246) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Glyph availability depends on font support for Mathematical Operators.
✓ Universal support
Approximately But Not Actually Equal To (≆)
Type ≆, or encode with hex, decimal, or CSS escape — same glyph everywhere encoding is supported.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerAll versions
Yes
U+2246 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer a typed ≆ or ≆ for normal text. Use decimal when generating markup, and \\2246 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: approximately but not actually equal to is U+2246 (decimal 8774).
HTML: use ≆ or ≆ (no named entity).
CSS: use \2246 inside content for generated text.
Watch out: ≆ ≠ ≈ ≠ ≅.
One line:U+2246 → ≆ / ≆ / CSS \2246.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use ≆ (hex), ≆ (decimal), or the CSS escape \2246 in the content property. All render ≆. You can also paste ≆ directly if your file is UTF-8. There is no standard named entity.
U+2246 (hex 2246, decimal 8774). Unicode names it APPROXIMATELY BUT NOT ACTUALLY EQUAL TO. It belongs to the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF).
No. HTML5 / WHATWG does not define a named character reference for U+2246. Prefer ≆, ≆, or a typed ≆ in UTF-8.
Use ≆ when notation means “approximately but not actually equal.” Use ≈ (U+2248) for almost equal, and ≅ (U+2245) for approximately equal — different operators.
HTML entities (≆ or ≆) go in markup. The CSS escape \2246 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render ≆.
The path /html/entity/approximately-but-not-actuall-equal-to keeps a legacy spelling for existing links. Page titles and prose use the correct spelling actually.
🤔
Did you know?
Approximately but not actually equal to is Unicode U+2246 (decimal 8774) in the Mathematical Operators block. There is no standard named HTML entity — use ≆ or ≆. It means values are close yet not equal — different from ≈ (almost equal) or ≅ (approximately equal).
