7 Shockingly Simple Ways To Type The 'Not Equal Sign' (≠) On Any Device In 2024

Typing the "not equal sign" (≠) might seem like a trivial task until you actually need it and realize there's no dedicated key on your standard keyboard. This mathematical symbol, representing "is not equal to," is crucial in academic papers, technical documentation, and complex equations. As of December 17, 2025, the methods for inputting this Unicode character (U+2260) remain consistent across major operating systems, but mastering the specific shortcuts for your platform can save you significant time and frustration.

Whether you are a student writing a thesis, an analyst building a complex spreadsheet, or a programmer documenting code, knowing the right keyboard command is essential. Forget the tedious copy-pasting—this comprehensive guide will show you the most efficient ways to produce the inequation symbol on Windows, Mac, and even within specific applications like Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

The Ultimate Guide to Typing ≠ on Windows, Mac, and Linux

The method you use to generate the $\neq$ symbol depends entirely on your operating system. Windows relies on the numeric keypad and Alt codes, while Mac uses a simple combination of the Option key.

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Windows Keyboard Shortcuts (Alt Codes and Unicode)

Windows offers two primary, reliable methods for typing the "does not equal" symbol (≠). Both require the use of the numeric keypad, not the number row above the letters.

Method 1: The Alt Code Shortcut

The classic Alt Code method is the most widely recognized way to input special characters on a Windows PC.

• Ensure the NumLock key is activated on your keyboard.
• Hold down the Alt key.
• While holding Alt, type the numbers 8800 on the numeric keypad.
• Release the Alt key. The not equal symbol (≠) will appear.

Note: If you are using a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, this method may not work unless you use an external keyboard or a function key (Fn) combination to activate the embedded numeric keypad, which varies by laptop model.

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Method 2: The Unicode/Hex Code Method (Microsoft Word Only)

For users primarily working in Microsoft Word, a faster Unicode-based shortcut exists:

• Type the hexadecimal Unicode value 2260 into your document.
• Immediately press the Alt key and the letter X simultaneously (Alt + X).
• Word will convert the four-digit code into the not equal sign (≠).

Method 3: The Windows Emoji Picker

For Windows 10 and 11 users, the built-in emoji and symbol picker provides a graphical way to insert the character:

• Press the Windows key + Period key (Win + .).
• Click on the Symbols tab (the $\Omega$ icon).
• Navigate to the Math Symbols section.
• Find and click the not equal to sign (≠).

Mac Keyboard Shortcut (Option Key)

The Apple macOS operating system makes typing the inequality sign exceptionally simple, as it is assigned a direct keyboard combination.

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• Place your cursor where you want the symbol to appear.
• Hold down the Option key (sometimes labeled Alt).
• While holding Option, press the Equals Sign key (=).
• The result is the not equal symbol (≠).

Linux Input Methods

On most modern Linux distributions (like Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora), you can use the standard Unicode input method, which is similar to the Windows Word shortcut but works system-wide:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + U to initiate Unicode input.
• Type the Unicode value 2260.
• Press Enter or Spacebar.

The Programmer's Not Equal: Using != and <> in Code

While the elegant $\neq$ symbol is perfect for documents and academic writing, it is practically never used in computer programming. The complexity of typing a Unicode character and the limitations of early character sets led to the adoption of simpler, ASCII-friendly alternatives. This is a critical distinction for anyone working in a technical field.

The Universal Not Equal Operator: !=

The most common and near-universal representation of the "not equal to" operator across modern programming languages is the exclamation mark followed by an equals sign: !=.

• C and C++: Uses != for comparison.
• Java: Uses != for comparison.
• Python: Uses != for comparison (though <> was deprecated).
• JavaScript: Uses != (loose inequality) and !== (strict inequality).
• PHP: Uses != and <>.

The exclamation mark (!) in this context is the logical NOT operator, effectively inverting the result of the equality comparison. This ASCII-based solution is fast to type and universally recognized by compilers and interpreters.

The Alternative Operator: <>

In some older or specialized languages, the less-than sign followed by the greater-than sign, <>, is used as the inequality operator. This is a common practice in database query languages.

• SQL (Structured Query Language): Both != and <> are often supported to mean "not equal," though <> is the ANSI standard.
• Visual Basic (VB) / VBA (Excel): Uses <> for the not equal to symbol.
• Pascal / Delphi: Historically used <>.

Understanding the context is crucial: use $\neq$ for display, and use != or <> for actual coding and database queries.

Advanced Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Office and Google Docs

For users who frequently work within productivity suites, there are application-specific methods that can be faster than system-level shortcuts.

Microsoft Excel and VBA

In Microsoft Excel, if you are writing a formula in a cell or using Conditional Formatting, you must use the programming notation. The $\neq$ symbol is not recognized as a functional operator in Excel formulas.

• Excel Formula: Use <>. Example: =IF(A1<>B1, "Not Equal", "Equal").
• VBA (Visual Basic for Applications): Use <> in your macros and functions.

To display the actual $\neq$ symbol in an Excel cell for documentation, you can still use the Alt + 8800 method.

Google Docs and Google Sheets

Google's suite offers a straightforward way to insert the symbol without memorizing codes.

• Google Docs: Go to the menu bar, click Insert, then Special characters. Type "not equal" into the search bar, and the $\neq$ symbol will appear.
• Google Sheets: Similar to Excel, you must use the <> operator in formulas. The symbol itself can be inserted into a cell using the Docs method (via the Insert menu) or by copying it.

Using the Character Map Utility

If all else fails, especially on a public or unfamiliar Windows computer, the built-in Character Map utility is a reliable fallback:

• Open the Windows Search bar and type "Character Map."
• In the Character Map window, ensure the font is set to a common Unicode font like Arial or Times New Roman.
• In the "Go to Unicode" box, type 2260 and press Enter.
• The not equal symbol will be highlighted. Click Select, then Copy, and paste it into your document.

Mastering these keyboard shortcuts and application-specific methods ensures you can quickly and accurately insert the inequality symbol (≠) into any document or code environment, boosting your productivity and the professional quality of your work.