Quick answer
Copy ≠ above. On a U.S. Mac keyboard, press Option + =. In Word, type 2260 and press Alt + X. Windows users can use Character Map or the symbol panel.
Not-equal methods
The mathematical not-equal sign is an equals sign crossed by a diagonal stroke. In programming and spreadsheets, the operator is often written with ASCII characters instead, so choose the form that the destination understands.
| Context | Correct input |
|---|---|
| Normal text or math | ≠ |
| Many programming languages | != or !== |
| Excel and Google Sheets formulas | <> |
| Mac U.S. layout | Option + = |
| Microsoft Word | 2260, then Alt + X |
Type ≠ on Windows
Open Character Map, find the not-equal sign in a mathematical font, and copy it. You can also use the Windows symbol panel where available. A simple, classic numeric Alt code is not dependable in every application for this character.
In Word, type 2260 and press Alt + X. Word converts the Unicode hexadecimal value into ≠. Insert → Symbol is useful if you want to compare not equal with approximately equal ≈ and identical to ≡.
Type ≠ on a Mac
On the U.S. layout, press Option + =. Open Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space if another layout is active. Search “not equal” and double-click the result.
The shortcut produces a Unicode text character. It does not automatically turn a plain text editor into a math editor, so use the equation tools in Pages or another app when the sign belongs in a complex expression.
Use not equal in Word, Docs, and equations
Google Docs offers the sign under Insert → Symbols → Special characters. Search by name or draw the shape. For a standalone comparison such as x ≠ 0, normal text may be enough. For stacked fractions, limits, or aligned equations, use the equation editor.
In LaTeX, \ne and \neq both commonly produce the sign in math mode. In accessible web math, use MathML for complex notation rather than an image of an equation.
Programming and spreadsheet differences
Do not paste ≠ into source code and expect it to behave as an operator unless the language explicitly supports it. JavaScript, Python, C-family languages, and many others use !=; JavaScript also uses !== for strict inequality.
Excel and Google Sheets use <> in formulas, for example =A1<>B1. The literal ≠ is useful in a heading or explanatory label, but a formula parser may reject it.
Use ≠ in HTML
UTF-8 pages can contain the symbol directly. The named entity is ≠, decimal is ≠, and hexadecimal is ≠. Use real text so the comparison can be selected, searched, and interpreted by assistive technology.
Similar symbols
≠ means not equal. ≈ means approximately equal, ≡ can mean identical or equivalent depending on context, and ≤/≥ express inequalities with equality included. They should not be swapped merely because a font makes them look similar.
Troubleshooting
If the symbol becomes a square, switch to a font with mathematical operators. If a copied formula stops working, replace ≠ with the operator required by the programming language or spreadsheet. If the slash direction looks different, that can be a font design choice; verify the Unicode value U+2260.
References and compatibility
These platform references explain the input methods used above. Availability varies by app and keyboard layout; a Unicode value is not automatically a numeric-keypad Alt code.
Editorial note: Shortcuts can vary by keyboard layout and app. Check the stated platform and use the copy-and-paste fallback when needed. Report a correction with your device, layout, and application; see our editorial policy for limitations.