HTML Entity for Less Than Or Equivalent To (≲)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Less Than Or Equivalent To (≲) symbol in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, named entity, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+2272 (LESS-THAN OR EQUIVALENT TO) in the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF).
Render it with ≲, ≲, ≲, or CSS escape \2272. It means one value is less than or equivalent to another under a defined equivalence relation—used in order theory and formal math. Not the same as Less Than Or Equal To (≤, U+2264) or Less Than But Not Equivalent To (⋦).
⚡ Quick Reference — Less Than Or Equivalent To
U+2272Mathematical Operators
≲Hexadecimal reference
≲Decimal reference
≲Most readable option
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+2272
Hex code ≲
HTML code ≲
Named entity ≲
CSS code \2272
Meaning Less-than or equivalent to
Not to confuse ≤ = U+2264 (≤)
Related ⋦ = not equivalent (⋦)
≳ = greater-than or equivalent (≳)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing the Less Than Or Equivalent To (≲) using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, the named entity, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\2272";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Symbol (hex): ≲</p>
<p>Symbol (decimal): ≲</p>
<p>Symbol (named): ≲</p>
<p id="point">Symbol (CSS): </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Less Than Or Equivalent To symbol (≲) is supported in modern browsers with a math-capable font:
👀 Live Preview
See the Less Than Or Equivalent To symbol (≲) in equivalence contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
≲ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 2272 to display the symbol. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
≲ uses the decimal Unicode value 8818 to display the same character.
Named Entity
≲ is the semantic named entity for ≲—readable in source HTML and part of the HTML5 character set.
CSS Entity
\2272 is used in CSS stylesheets, particularly in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.
Same visual result
All four methods produce the glyph: ≲. Unicode U+2272 is in Mathematical Operators. Mirror: Greater Than Or Equivalent To (U+2273 / ≳). Previous: Less Than Or Equal To.
Use Cases
The Less Than Or Equivalent To symbol (≲) is commonly used in:
Formal math where “equivalent” is defined separately from numeric equality (e.g. x ≲ y).
Preorders and partial orders with equivalence-based comparisons.
Academic papers, algebra courses, and advanced math references.
Specs comparing elements under custom equivalence relations.
Modular arithmetic and abstract structures with non-standard equivalence.
HTML entity lists and Unicode operator documentation.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
≲for readable source markup - Use math fonts (Cambria Math, Noto Sans Math) for reliable rendering
- Define the equivalence relation in prose when meaning matters
- Distinguish ≲ from
≤(≤) and⋦(⋦) - Serve pages with UTF-8 (
<meta charset="utf-8">)
Don’t
- Use ≲ when you mean numeric ≤ (
≤) - Confuse
≲with⋦(different code points) - Put CSS escape
\2272in HTML text nodes - Rely on the symbol alone for screen reader users
- Assume every system font renders Mathematical Operators clearly
Key Takeaways
Three HTML references plus CSS all render ≲
≲ ≲ ≲For CSS stylesheets, use the escape in the content property
\2272Unicode U+2272 — LESS-THAN OR EQUIVALENT TO
Prefer ≲ for readability in HTML source
Previous: Less Than Or Equal To Next: Less Than Or Greater Than
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
≲ (hex), ≲ (decimal), ≲ (named), or \2272 in CSS content. All produce ≲.U+2272 (LESS-THAN OR EQUIVALENT TO). Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF). Hex 2272, decimal 8818. Named entity: ≲.≲ is the named HTML entity for ≲. It is part of the HTML5 named character set and the most readable option in source markup.≤) means less than or equal—a numeric inequality. ≲ (U+2272) means less than or equivalent—used when equivalence is a defined relation (e.g. order theory, modular arithmetic, abstract algebra). So ≲ refers to equivalence relations; ≤ refers to numeric comparison.Explore More HTML Entities!
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