How to Type the Greater-Than Sign (>)

It definitely doesn’t take a greater-than-average computer user to type the greater-than sign (>)! Let’s look at how to insert the greater-than sign on Windows PCs, Macs, and iOS/Android devices.

How to Insert the Greater-Than Sign on a Windows PC

The greater-than sign is part of the standard QWERTY keyboard layout. If you’re in the U.S., this is almost certainly the keyboard you’re using right now. The greater-than sign shares a keyboard key with the period symbol. Simply type the key while holding down the Shift key.

How to Insert the Greater-Than Sign on a Mac

You will find the greater-than sign on the same key as the period on a standard QWERTY keyboard. Press the > key while holding down the Shift key.

You can also access the greater-than sign and many of its variations on the Character Viewer. To open the Character Viewer, click on Emojis & Symbols under the edit menu or simultaneously type Option + Command + Spacebar. Search for “greater” in the search bar. Double-click the symbol you want to insert. 

CharacterViewer_greater than

How to Insert the Greater-Than Sign on iOS and Android Devices

On your iOS device, access the Numbers and Symbols keyboard by tapping the 123 button on your keyboard. Next, tap the #+= button (typically in the lower-left corner). Tap the > sign to insert it.

On your Android device, using the great-than sign is just as easy. Assuming you have the default Gboard keyboard installed, go to the Numbers and Symbols keyboard by pressing the ?123 button. Press and hold down close parenthesis, or ). This “long press” will allow you to select the greater-than sign.

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