What ≠ means
The two sides do not have equal values. In a ≠ b, it rules out equality without saying whether a or b is larger.
Equality was commonly written in words before Recorde used parallel lines in 1557 to avoid repetition; < and > appeared in print in 1631. MacTutor connects barred relation signs with Euler's correspondence but does not establish one certain inventor. The slash negates the relation expressed by =.
How do I type ≠?
Use the shortcut for your system or editor. On macOS, press Option+=. In Word, type 2260 and press Alt+X. On Linux or Chromebook, press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 2260, then press Enter.
Should I use ≠, !=, or <>?
Use the form your software expects. Choose ≠ in equations and finished prose. Many programming languages require !=; Excel requires <>; others may use ~= or /=. Pasting ≠ into source code can cause a syntax error.
Precise and technical; natural in maths, documentation, notes, and compact comparisons.
In source code, ≠ may be invalid even when its meaning is obvious.
Don't confuse it with
4Questions people ask
2Why doesn't ≠ work in Excel formulas?
Use `<>`. As of 2026, Excel expects that operator for not-equal comparisons, such as `=A1<>B1`; ≠ is not formula syntax.
Why does ≠ look crooked?
It can be the font. A Noto Sans 2.007 issue filed on 2023-10-14 documented an offset slash; switching fonts can fix the shape.
How to type ≠
≠\2260Codes and encoding1 code points
A visible symbol can contain several code points. JS .length counts UTF-16 units; UTF-8 counts bytes.