Less Than Or Equivalent To (≲) is the Mathematical Operators character at Unicode U+2272 (LESS-THAN OR EQUIVALENT TO). It combines less-than with a similarity / equivalence mark in one glyph.
Remember
Character ≲
Unicode U+2272
Named entity ≲ or ≲
Hex entity ≲
Decimal ≲
CSS escape \2272
Not the same ≤ (≤) · ⋦ (⋦) · ≳ (≳)
Prefer ≲ or ≲ in HTML. Alternatives: ≲ or ≲. For everyday ≤, use ≤ instead.
Using Named: ≲
Using Alias: ≲
Using Hex Code: ≲
Using HTML Code: ≲
Using CSS Entity: ≲
x ≲ y
How It Works
1. Named:≲ and ≲ are HTML5 names for U+2272 → ≲. Prefer these for readable source.
2. Hex:U+2272 → ≲ in HTML. Same glyph as named.
3. Decimal: same code point as 8818 → ≲.
4. CSS: use \2272 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ≲ after the paragraph text.
5. Meaning: “or equivalent / similar” is not the same as “or equal” — use ≤ for ≤, and ⋦ when equivalence is negated.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Less Than Or Equivalent To.
Look-alikes
≲ ≠ ≤
≤ is less-than or equal. ≲ is less-than or equivalent/similar. Pick the relation your notation actually needs.
Negation
Negated form is ⋦
Less-than but not equivalent is U+22E6 — use ⋦, not a slash overlay on this glyph.
Pair
Mirror is ≳
Greater-than or equivalent is U+2273 — use ≳ / ≳.
Fonts
Math glyph coverage
Most modern fonts include U+2272, but verify on target devices if the symbol is critical.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\2272 belongs in CSS. ≲ / ≲ / ≲ belong in HTML.
A11y
Add nearby words
Pair the glyph with label text (for example x ≲ y) or use aria-label when it stands alone.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ≲, not &lsim.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Less Than Or Equivalent To (U+2272) and its entity forms (≲, ≲, ≲, ≲, CSS \\2272) are supported in all modern browsers. Glyph coverage depends on the font.
✓ Universal encoding
Less Than Or Equivalent To (≲)
Encode with named, hex, decimal, or CSS escape — or type ≲ directly in UTF-8 HTML.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerIE 9+
Yes*
U+2272Full support
Bottom line: Prefer ≲ or ≲ for readable HTML. Use \\2272 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: this symbol is U+2272 (decimal 8818).
HTML: prefer ≲ or ≲ — also ≲ / ≲.
Use ≲ or ≲ (named), ≲ (hex), ≲ (decimal), or the CSS escape \2272 in the content property. All render ≲ when the font supports Mathematical Operators.
U+2272 (LESS-THAN OR EQUIVALENT TO). Hex 2272, decimal 8818. It belongs to Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF).
Yes. HTML5 defines ≲, ≲, and ≲ for U+2272. Prefer ≲ or ≲ for readable math markup.
Use it when a value is less than or approximately/similarly related — the “less-than or ~” style relation. Prefer named entities for readable source. For everyday ≤, use ≤ instead.
HTML entities (≲, ≲, ≲, or ≲) go in markup. The CSS escape \2272 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render ≲.
≤ (U+2264) is less-than or equal. ≲ (U+2272) is less-than or equivalent/similar. ⋦ (U+22E6) is less-than but not equivalent — the negated form.
🤔
Did you know?
Less Than Or Equivalent To is Unicode U+2272 (decimal 8818) — LESS-THAN OR EQUIVALENT TO in Mathematical Operators. HTML5 named entities: ≲ and ≲ (also ≲). Mirror form: ≳ / ≳ (U+2273). Negated form: ⋦ (U+22E6).
