Tilde Operator Symbol

There is no legacy Windows Alt code for Tilde Operator because it is not in either the OEM code page 437 or Windows-1252 tables. The Unicode codepoint is U+223C, which you can use as ∼ in HTML, \223C in CSS, or type with Alt+8764 on Windows (BMP only). If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use the Character Viewer, the HTML entity, or copy the character directly. Tilde Operator is outside both legacy code pages, which is why U+223C is the identifier that works across Word, HTML, CSS, Python and JavaScript. HTML also defines the named entity ∼ for Tilde Operator, but the numeric form ∼ is safer when compatibility is uncertain.

Codes for this symbol

Copy any value by clicking it.
MethodValue
Alt + decimal
Alt + X hex
HTML named entity
HTML decimal
HTML hex
CSS escape
Python escape
JavaScript escape
UTF-8 bytes
Unicode codepoint
Unicode block
Unicode category

Not available for this symbol: legacy Windows Alt code, macOS Option shortcut.

How to type tilde operator on Windows

  1. Turn Num Lock on so the numeric keypad is active.
  2. Hold the left Alt key.
  3. Type 8 7 6 4 on the numeric keypad for the decimal codepoint 8764.
  4. Release Alt. The Tilde Operator character (∼) appears.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, see how to type symbols without a numpad.

How to type tilde operator on macOS

There is no direct Option shortcut for Tilde Operator. Open the Character Viewer with ⌃⌘Space, search for "Tilde Operator" and click the character to insert it.

How to use tilde operator in code

  • HTML: or , also
  • CSS: content:"\223C"; ()
  • Python: \u223C or chr(0x223C)
  • JavaScript: \u223C or String.fromCodePoint(0x223C)
  • JSON: "\u223C"
  • LaTeX: $\sim$ (math mode)

Frequently asked questions

Is there an Alt code for ∼?

No legacy Alt code exists for Tilde Operator because it is not in code page 437 or Windows-1252. Use the Unicode codepoint U+223C in HTML, CSS or the Character Viewer instead.

How do I type ∼ without a numpad?

Use the Windows Character Viewer (Win+.), the macOS Character Viewer (⌃⌘Space), an HTML entity such as ∼, or copy the character directly from this page.

Why does Alt+8764 not work?

Alt+8764 only works on a keyboard with a physical numeric keypad. It also requires the application to accept the numeric-keypad input path. Laptops without a numpad need an alternative method.

What is the Unicode for Tilde Operator?

The Unicode codepoint for Tilde Operator is U+223C. You can use this value in HTML as ∼, in CSS as \223C, and in Word with Alt+X.

How do I type ∼ on a Mac?

Open the Character Viewer with ⌃⌘Space and search for the character name or U+223C, then click it.