How to Type Less Than or Equal To Sign (≤) on Keyboard, Word & Excel

Typing math symbols like the Less Than or Equal To sign (≤) isn’t as straightforward as pressing a single key on your keyboard. Yet, it’s commonly needed in academic papers, data analysis, and everyday documents, especially in Word and Excel.

In this quick guide, you’ll learn how to type the Less Than or Equal To sign on a keyboard, as well as in Microsoft Word and Excel, using methods like:

Keyboard shortcuts and Alt codes
Unicode input
Symbol dialog boxes
AutoCorrect setup
And easy copy-and-paste

Whether you’re a student working with equations or a professional formatting data, you’ll find a method that works perfectly for your setup.

📋 Quick Reference to Type the Less Than or Equal To Sign on Keyboard (≤)

Use the table below to quickly find the best way to type or insert the Less Than or Equal To sign on your keyboard, in Word, or in Excel.

Platform	Method	Shortcut / Code	Works In
Windows	Unicode	`2264 + Alt + X`	Word, Outlook
Windows	Alt Code (with NumPad)	`Alt + 8804`	Microsoft Word.
Mac	Character Viewer	Use Symbol Menu	Word, Pages, Numbers
Word	Insert > Symbol	Manual insert from dialog	Word only
Excel	Insert > Symbol	Use Symbol tab	Excel
Excel	Formula-based workaround	`=UNICHAR(8804)`	Excel (display only)
Any Platform	Copy & Paste	`≤`	Everywhere

≤

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💡 Tip: The most reliable methods in Word is typing 2264 and pressing Alt + X, and using the copy and paste method.

⌨️ Method 1: Type the Less Than or Equal To Sign Using Unicode (Alt + X)

If you’re using Microsoft Word, the fastest and most reliable way to type the Less Than or Equal To sign (≤) is by using its Unicode combined with the Alt + X keyboard shortcut.

This method doesn’t require you to open the symbol dialog box or remember complex codes—you simply type a 4-digit number and convert it into the symbol.

✅ Steps:

Place your cursor where you want to insert the symbol in Word.
Type the number: 2264
Press Alt + X on your keyboard.
Word will automatically convert 2264 into the Less Than or Equal To sign (≤).

🧠 Why This Works:

2264 is the Unicode value for the ≤ symbol.
Pressing Alt + X tells Word to interpret the preceding numbers as a Unicode character and replace it accordingly.

⚠️ Important Notes:

This shortcut only works in Word and Outlook (not Excel or web browsers).
Don’t add spaces between the number and the Alt + X press—it must be typed continuously.

💡 Tip: If you’re using Word regularly for math, logic, or technical writing, memorizing this Unicode shortcut is a simple way to save time.

🖱️ Method 2: Insert the Less Than or Equal To Sign Using the Symbol Dialog in Word

If you prefer using the mouse or are new to Word, this method walks you through how to insert the Less Than or Equal To sign (≤) using the built-in Symbol dialog box—no codes or shortcuts needed.

✅ Step-by-Step Instructions:

Open Microsoft Word.
Launch your Word document and click where you want the ≤ symbol to appear.
Click on the “Insert” tab.
You’ll find this on the ribbon at the top of your Word window, usually between the “Home” and “Draw” tabs.
Locate the “Symbol” section.
On the far-right side of the Insert tab, click the Symbol dropdown arrow (not the button itself).
Click “More Symbols…”
This will open a pop-up dialog with a complete library of symbols available in Word.
Choose your font (optional).
In the dialog box, make sure Font is set to Normal Text (this ensures you see standard characters and not special font symbols like Wingdings).
Filter to Mathematical Symbols.
In the top-right corner of the dialog, find the Subset dropdown.
Select Mathematical Operators — this filters the list to symbols used in math and logic.
Find and select the Less Than or Equal To sign (≤).
Scroll through the grid until you see the ≤ symbol. You can identify it by hovering over it—Word will show the symbol name.
Insert the symbol.
Click once to highlight it, then click the Insert button.
Alternatively, double-click the symbol to insert it immediately into your document.
Close the dialog box.
Click Close to exit the Symbol window.

💡 Tip:

Once you’ve used the ≤ symbol this way, it will appear in the “recently used symbols” list the next time you click Insert → Symbol, so you don’t have to search for it again.

🧠 Bonus: If you use the symbol often, consider assigning it a custom keyboard shortcut—just click the Shortcut Key… button while the symbol is selected in the dialog box.

📋 Method 3: Copy and Paste the Less Than or Equal To Sign (≤)

Sometimes the simplest method is best, especially if you only need the Less Than or Equal To sign (≤) once or twice. Instead of learning codes or navigating menus, you can just copy and paste it.

This method works across all apps, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, web browsers, emails, and even on mobile.

Copy the symbol from below button.

≤

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Using Word AutoCorrect to type a Less than or equal to sign

Another efficient way to insert the Less Than or Equal To sign (≤)—especially if you use it frequently—is by setting up a custom shortcut with Word’s AutoCorrect feature.

Originally designed to fix typos (like changing frmo to from), AutoCorrect can also be used to automatically replace short text codes with symbols. For example, you could assign the code “LOE” to represent the ≤ symbol.

Once set up, every time you type LOE, Word will instantly replace it with ≤, saving you time and effort. The best part? You can assign any shortcut you want, making it a flexible solution for all your frequently used symbols.

✅ Steps to Set Up AutoCorrect in Word:

Insert the ≤ symbol into your document using one of the previous methods (e.g., 2264 + Alt + X, Insert → Symbol, or copy-paste it).
Highlight and copy the symbol (Ctrl + C or Command + C).
Click the File tab in Word, then select Options.
In the Word Options dialog, choose Proofing from the left-hand menu.
Click on the AutoCorrect Options button.

In the AutoCorrect dialog box:
Under the Replace field, type your shortcut (e.g., LOE)
In the With field, paste the ≤ symbol

Click Add, then click OK to save.

⚠️ Important Notes:

AutoCorrect is case-sensitive: If you set it to LOE, typing loe in lowercase won’t work unless you create a second entry.
If you type the shortcut immediately after another word (e.g., valueLOE), it won’t convert. Always separate with a space or punctuation.

💡 Tip: You can set up AutoCorrect entries for other symbols too—like ≥ (greater than or equal to), ≠ (not equal), or π.

🎁 Bonus Tips: Using the Less Than or Equal To Sign in Excel, Google Docs, and More

Now that you know how to insert the Less Than or Equal To sign (≤) in Microsoft Word, let’s take a look at how to use it in other popular tools like Excel, Google Docs, and beyond.

📊 Using ≤ in Microsoft Excel

Unlike Word, Excel doesn’t support the Alt + X Unicode shortcut. But you still have several ways to get the symbol into your spreadsheet:

Option 1: Copy and Paste

Simply copy the symbol from here → ≤
Paste it into any cell using Ctrl + V

Option 2: Insert from Symbol Menu

Click the Insert tab
Click Symbol (far right)
Set the Font to Normal Text and the Subset to Mathematical Operators
Find and insert the ≤ symbol

Option 3: Use Excel Formula (for display only)
If you want the symbol to appear through a formula (not as a character), use:

=UNICHAR(8804)

Note: This just displays the symbol—it won’t function as a comparison operator.

📄 Using ≤ in Google Docs

Google Docs doesn’t support the Windows Alt codes, but it offers an easy-to-use special character tool.

Steps to Insert the ≤ Symbol in Google Docs:

Open your document in Google Docs
Click Insert > Special characters
In the pop-up, do either of the following:
- Type “less than or equal to” in the search box
- Or draw the symbol in the drawing pad
Click on the ≤ symbol to insert it into your document

💡 Tip: Once used, Google Docs will keep the symbol in your recent characters list for quick access later.

💻 Other Apps & Devices

PowerPoint & Outlook: Use the same steps as Word (Alt + X, Insert > Symbol).
Mobile (iOS/Android): There is no built-in shortcut for ≤ on mobile keyboards. The fastest method is to copy and paste the symbol into your note, email, or message.
Online Editors: Most rich text editors don’t allow symbol shortcuts. Again, copy-paste is your best friend.

✅ Conclusion

The Less Than or Equal To sign (≤) may not have a dedicated key on your keyboard, but inserting it doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether you’re using a Windows PC, Mac, Word, Excel, or Google Docs, there’s a method that fits your workflow—be it a shortcut like 2264 + Alt + X, the Symbol menu, or simply using AutoCorrect for automation.

Now that you’ve learned the most efficient ways to insert ≤, you can save time and type with confidence in any document or spreadsheet.

💬 Still having trouble? Drop your question in the comments below, and I’ll be glad to help.

👉 Also check out: How to Insert Symbols in Word for more shortcuts and symbol tricks.