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Almost Equal ≈ symbol in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

by Annabelle Almer 8 January 2022

Almost Equal sign ≈ can be typed into Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook. Both in Office for Windows and Office for Mac.

The Almost Equal symbol ≈ is commonly used within Mathematics to indicate two values are roughly equal, but not exactly equal. Or use it whenever you need horizontal wavy lines!

How Almost Equal ≈ looks in different fonts.

Here’s some examples of how Almost Equal ≈ looks in common Office fonts.

Almost Equal ≈ codes

These are the important code numbers or values you’ll need to enter the Almost Equal or ≈

Decimal: 8776 Hex: 2248

Web: ≈ or ≈ or ≈

(web codes aren’t used in Microsoft Office, we’ve included them for the sake of completeness.)

Word and Outlook

The Almost Equal ≈ sign does NOT have an inbuilt shortcut in Word.

Use the standard Word Alt + X symbol shortcut 2248 + Alt + X

Once in a document, you can copy it to AutoCorrect and make your own shortcut.

Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Insert | Symbols | Symbol and look for the Almost Equal symbol.

Windows

In Windows there are several shortcuts to enter the Almost Equal ≈ character into any program, but they use a numeric keypad, not the number row above the letters.

Alt + 8776

Window 11 Emoji Panel

The Windows 11 Emoji Panel has the Almost Equal ≈ symbol. Use Win + . (period/fullstop) to open the panel.

Choose the Symbols Tab (the fifth of the top row icons), then the Math Symbols section. To find the Almost Equal symbol, scroll down the list.

Windows Character Map

The Windows Character Map accessory in all Windows releases.

Character Map has a search feature, something missing from the Insert | Symbol in Office.

MacOS and Office for Mac inserting characters

On a Mac, to enter the Almost Equal ≈ symbol:

Command + Control + Spacebar shortcut to open the Character Viewer.
Search for “Almost Equal “and the Viewer should find the symbol you need.

Despite the name Character Viewer, the Apple system tool will also insert characters into any program, including Office for Mac.

Approximately Equal or image of ≒ in Word and Office
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About Unicode, fonts and symbol codes