How to type the not equal sign (≠) on Windows
The not equal sign on Windows has no alt code: ≠ is not in the code pages that Alt + number uses. The fastest routes are the emoji panel (Win + . → Symbols), or in Word typing 2260 and pressing Alt + X.
Quick answer
Press Win + ., open the Ω Symbols tab and pick ≠. In Word, type 2260 then Alt + X.
Step by step
Open the emoji panel
Press the Windows key and the period (.) together. The panel opens at the cursor.
Go to the Symbols tab
Click the Ω tab at the top of the panel.
Find the maths group
Choose the maths symbols category (it shows operators such as ≠, ≤ and ≥) and click ≠.
Why Alt codes cannot make ≠
Alt codes only reach 255 characters: those in Windows-1252 (Alt + 0128 to 0255) and in the old PC set, code page 437 (Alt + 1 to 255). Code page 437 happens to include ≤, ≥ and ≈, but not ≠. Codes such as “Alt + 8800”, which some websites list, simply do not work in normal Windows apps. Our alt code chart shows exactly what each number gives.
In Microsoft Word
- Alt + X: type 2260 and press Alt + X. Word swaps the hex code for ≠.
- Equation editor: press Alt + = to start an equation, type \ne and a space. Word’s Math AutoCorrect turns it into ≠. This only works inside equations.
- Insert → Symbol: More Symbols, set “from” to Unicode (hex), and enter 2260.
In browsers, Google Docs and elsewhere
Google Docs replaces != with ≠ automatically when substitutions are on. In any other app, Character Map is the universal fallback: run charmap from Win + R, tick Advanced view and search for “not equal”. The Character Map guide explains the search box, which many people miss.
In code
Programming languages write “not equal” as != or <>, never as ≠. Some programming fonts draw != as a ligature that looks like ≠, but the file still contains two characters. For HTML, the entity is ≠. See the not equal sign page for every code, and the math symbols for the comparison signs that sit next to it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the alt code for ≠?
There is none. ≠ (U+2260) is outside the character sets Windows alt codes use. Use Win + . or 2260 then Alt + X in Word.
How do I type ≠ in Word quickly?
Type 2260 and press Alt + X. Inside an equation, typing \ne and a space also gives ≠.
Why does Alt + 8800 not work?
Alt codes above 255 are not supported by standard Windows apps. 8800 is the decimal code point of ≠, which is useful in HTML (≠) but not as an alt code.