Less-Than Sign Symbol (<)

Q: How do I type less-than sign < on Windows?

Press Shift+Comma on a US keyboard. You can also copy < straight from this page.

Q: What is the Unicode and HTML code for less-than sign?

It is Unicode code point U+003C, named Less-Than Sign. In HTML, use < or the numeric reference <.

Copy and paste the less-than sign < with one click

Unicode Character

Unicode Hex

U+003C

HTML Entity

Decimal Code

About the Less-Than Sign Symbol

Last reviewed on October 31, 2026

< is a sign with its point to the left, meaning smaller than, as in 3 < 5. Programming uses it for comparisons, and HTML uses it to open a tag. In HTML text it is escaped as <.

Its official Unicode name is Less-Than Sign. Browse the Mathematical Symbols page for related characters.

How to Type Less-Than Sign on a Keyboard

Windows: Press Shift+Comma on a US keyboard

Mac: Press Shift+Comma

Microsoft Word: Type 003C then press Alt+X

Phone & tablet: Copying < from this page is fastest — see our mobile typing guide

Less-Than Sign Code for HTML, CSS & JavaScript

HTML: <

CSS: content: '\003C';

JavaScript: '\u003C'

Unicode: U+003C

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I type less-than sign < on Windows?