Very much less-than (⋘) is the mathematical relation at Unicode U+22D8. HTML5 provides ⋘ (there is no &lll;). Do not confuse it with much less-than ≪ (≪) or ordinary < (<).
Remember
Character ⋘
Unicode U+22D8
Named entity ⋘
Hex entity ⋘
Decimal ⋘
CSS escape \22D8
Not the same ≪ (≪) · < · <<<
Named, hex, decimal, CSS, and a typed character all produce the same glyph: ⋘. Prefer ⋘ in mathematical HTML. For the opposite relation see very much greater-than; for double ≪ see much less-than.
Using Named Entity: ⋘
Using Hex Code: ⋘
Using HTML Code: ⋘
Using CSS Entity: ⋘
Relation: x ⋘ y
How It Works
1. Named:⋘ is the clearest HTML form and renders ⋘. Note: ≪ (two l’s) is much less-than ≪, not this symbol. There is no &lll;.
2. Hex:U+22D8 → ⋘ in HTML. Same result as the named entity.
3. Decimal: same code point as 8920 → ⋘. Same result as hex and named.
4. CSS: use \22D8 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ⋘ after the paragraph text.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with very much less-than.
Prefer
Use ⋘
The named form is clearer than numeric references and is defined in HTML5. There is no &lll;.
vs ≪
≪ ≠ ⋘
≪ / ≪ is ≪ (U+226A). ⋘ is ⋘ (U+22D8). Capital L matters.
vs <
Not ordinary less-than
< is < (U+003C). Use ⋘ only when you need the triple symbol.
vs <<<
Not three ASCII characters
Typing <<< creates three less-than signs. Use ⋘ for the single ⋘ symbol.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\22D8 belongs in CSS. ⋘ / ⋘ / ⋘ belong in HTML.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ⋘, not &Ll.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Very much less-than (U+22D8) and its entity forms (⋘, ⋘, ⋘, CSS \\22D8) are supported in all mainstream browsers with a Unicode-capable font.
✓ Universal support
Very Much Less Than (⋘)
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+22D8 / ⋘Full support
Bottom line: Prefer ⋘ in mathematical HTML. Use \\22D8 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: very much less-than is U+22D8 (decimal 8920).
HTML: prefer ⋘ (no &lll;).
CSS: use \22D8 inside content for generated text.
Lookalikes: not ≪ (≪), not < (<), not ASCII <<<.
Use ⋘ (named), ⋘ (hex), ⋘ (decimal), or the CSS escape \22D8 in the content property. All render ⋘. Prefer ⋘ in mathematical HTML.
U+22D8 (VERY MUCH LESS-THAN). Hex 22D8, decimal 8920. It belongs to the Mathematical Operators block.
Yes. HTML5 defines ⋘ for ⋘. There is no &lll; named entity.
Use it for mathematical inequalities where one quantity is very much smaller than another — a stronger comparison than much less-than (≪).
HTML entities (⋘, ⋘, or ⋘) go in markup. The CSS escape \22D8 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render ⋘.
No. Very much less-than is ⋘ (⋘, U+22D8). Much less-than is ≪ (≪, U+226A). Three ASCII <<< characters are not the same as the single ⋘ symbol.
🤔
Did you know?
Very much less-than is Unicode U+22D8 (decimal 8920) — VERY MUCH LESS-THAN in Mathematical Operators. HTML5 provides ⋘ (there is no &lll;). It is not the same as much less-than ≪ / ≪ (≪, U+226A), ordinary < (<), or three ASCII <<< characters.
