The ≥ (Greater Than or Equal To) Symbol Explained

The greater-than or equal-to symbol (≥) is a mathematical operator used to indicate that one value is either strictly greater than or exactly equal to another. In equations and inequalities, it sets a minimum baseline, showing that a number or variable cannot fall below a specific threshold.

French mathematician Pierre Bouguer first introduced this combined symbol in 1734. Before its creation, mathematicians had to write out the full phrase or use clunky workarounds to express non-strict inequalities. By merging the standard greater-than sign (>) with a single horizontal stroke from the equals sign (=), Bouguer created an elegant, space-saving solution that remains a staple of modern mathematics.

In the Unicode Standard, the greater-than or equal-to symbol is designated as U+2265 and belongs to the Mathematical Operators block.

You will spot this symbol most frequently in math, physics, and engineering to define ranges and limits. For example, the expression "x ≥ 18" perfectly describes the age requirement for voting in many countries. In computer programming, however, the symbol takes a slightly different form. Because standard keyboards lack a dedicated ≥ key, developers type `>=` to execute the exact same logic in code. On social media or in casual typography, people occasionally use the symbol to emphasize a minimum standard or boundary, such as texting "Daily coffee intake ≥ 3 cups."

Typing the ≥ symbol depends on your device. On a Mac, simply press Option + > (Option + Shift + period). On a Windows PC, hold down the Alt key and type 8805 on the numeric keypad. If you are building a website, you can use the HTML entity `≥` or `≥`. On iOS and Android smartphones, you can usually find it by navigating to the numbers and symbols keyboard and long-pressing the equals (=) or greater-than (>) key to reveal hidden variations.

Related symbols include its direct opposite, the less-than or equal-to sign (≤), which sets a maximum ceiling instead of a floor. It also contrasts with the strict greater-than sign (>), which excludes the exact value from the equation entirely.