The not equal sign ≠ has no Windows Alt code, so copy it or type 2260 then Alt+X in Word. On a Mac it is Option+=. It states that two quantities differ. Programming languages spell it as != or /= instead, since the symbol is not on the keyboard.
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 "Not Equal To" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 2260, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 2260, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | ≠ · \2260 (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 Not Equal To (U+2260).
- Select it, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Not Equal To" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 2260.
- 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 spelling | In code. Most C-style languages, Python and SQL use != rather than the symbol. |
| ≢ (U+2262) | Not identical to | The negation of ≡, used for congruence and identity rather than plain equality. |
| ≉ (U+2249) | Not almost equal to | The negation of ≈, saying two values are not even approximately the same. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the not equal sign?
It is U+2260, decimal 8800. There is no Windows Alt code, since it falls outside the Windows-1252 code page.
How do I type it on a Mac?
Option+= produces it directly on a US layout. On Windows, type 2260 and press Alt+X in Word, or copy it.
Why do programming languages use != instead?
Early languages were limited to ASCII, which has no ≠. The two-character spelling stuck, and it remains far easier to type. Some languages use /= or <>.
Is the slash meaningful?
Yes. In mathematical notation a slash through a relation negates it, which is why ≠, ≮ and ∉ all follow the same pattern. Unicode encodes the common ones as single characters.
What is the difference between ≠ and ≢?
The first denies ordinary equality of value. The second denies identity or congruence, a stronger claim used in modular arithmetic and in saying two expressions are not the same function.