Approximately equal (≈) in LaTeX
\approx produces the approximately-equal-to relation, used when two quantities are close but not exactly equal, such as rounded decimal values.
LaTeX command
\approxNot the symbol you meant? Draw it to find the command →
Use \approx for numerical closeness: \pi \approx 3.14159, or small-angle results like \sin . It reads as 'is approximately equal to' and carries the spacing of a binary relation, so keep an expression on either side.
It has several near-neighbours that mean different things. \sim (similar) marks 'of the same order' or, in statistics, 'is distributed as'. \simeq means asymptotically equal or isomorphic. \cong denotes geometric congruence or isomorphism. Choosing the right one keeps a statement precise.
\approx itself needs no package; the thicker or decorated variants \approxeq and \thickapprox come from amssymb. Do not reach for the keyboard tilde ~ as a stand-in, since in LaTeX it is an active character that produces a non-breaking space.
Other forms
\simsimilar (∼)\simeqasymptotically equal (≃)\congcongruent (≅)Examples
$\pi \approx 3.14159$a rounded constant
$e \approx 2.718$another approximation
$\sin x \approx x$the small-angle approximation
$\sqrt{2} \approx 1.41$an approximate root
$X \sim N(0,1)$'distributed as', using the companion \sim
Tips and common mistakes
\approxneeds no package;\approxeqand\thickapproxcome from amssymb.- Pick the correct symbol:
\approxfor numerical closeness,\simfor same-order or 'distributed as',\congfor congruent figures,\simeqfor asymptotic or isomorphic. - Never use the keyboard ~ for 'approximately'; it is an active spacing character in LaTeX.
- Signal rounding sensibly; writing many digits before
\approxdefeats the purpose.
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Convert your maths to LaTeX →FAQ
What is the LaTeX command for the approximately equal sign?
\approx in math mode, e.g. .
What is the difference between \approx, \sim and \simeq?
\approx means numerically close; \sim means similar, of the same order, or 'distributed as'; \simeq means asymptotically equal or isomorphic. They are not interchangeable.
How do I write 'is congruent to'?
Use \cong for geometric congruence or isomorphism; for modular congruence use \equiv with \pmod.