The less-than-or-equal sign ≤ has no Windows Alt code, so copy it or type 2264 then Alt+X in Word. On a Mac it is Option+comma. It states an upper bound that the value is allowed to reach. Code and spreadsheets spell it as <=.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (any app) | Win+. or Win+; emoji/symbol picker, or Character Map (Win+R → charmap) |
|
| Mac | Control+Command+Space to open Character Viewer, search "Less-Than Or Equal To" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 2264, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 2264, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | ≤ · \2264 (CSS) |
02 Step by step, per platform
A real, followable procedure for every platform, not a thin restatement of the shortcut.
Windows
- Open Character Map: Win+R, type charmap, press Enter.
- Search or scroll for Less-Than Or Equal To (U+2264).
- Select it, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Less-Than Or Equal To" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 2264.
- Press Alt+X immediately after, it converts the hex code to ≤.
03 Characters in this set
04 Troubleshooting & confusables
| Looks like it | But it's actually | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| <= | The programming and spreadsheet spelling | In code and in Excel formulas, where the single character is not accepted. |
| ≦ (U+2266) | Less-than over equal to, with a full bar | The East Asian typographic variant. Same meaning, different drawing. |
| ≪ (U+226A) | Much less-than | A far stronger claim, meaning smaller by orders of magnitude. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for less-than-or-equal?
It is U+2264, decimal 8804. There is no Windows Alt code for it.
How do I type it on a Mac?
Option+comma on a US layout. On Windows, type 2264 and press Alt+X in Word.
Does ≤ include the boundary value?
Yes, and that is the whole point of the bar. If x ≤ 10 then x is allowed to be exactly 10, where x < 10 excludes it.
Why does the symbol look different in Japanese text?
East Asian typography draws it with a full horizontal bar below, encoded separately as U+2266. The meaning is identical.
What is ≪ for?
It means much less than, used when a quantity is negligible against another. It is a statement about scale, not just order, and it has no precise numerical threshold.