> Greater-Than Sign
Also called: right angle bracket, close chevron. The greater-than sign means the number on the left is bigger: 9 > 4.
How to type >
Hold Shift with your left pinky, then press the . key with your right ring finger.
Meaning and fun facts
Email programs used to put > in front of quoted replies. Programmers use -> to draw little arrows.
Common uses
- Comparing: 9 > 4
- Arrows: ->
- Menus: File > Save
Fun example: 10 > 3
Typing tip
The greater-than sign is Shift + period. Its open mouth faces the bigger number: 9 > 2. In email replies, a > at the start of a line shows quoted text.
> at a glance
| Keyboard (Windows, Mac, Chromebook) | Shift + . |
|---|---|
| Phone or tablet | On an iPhone, tap 123 and then #+= to see it. On Android (Gboard), tap ?123 and then =\< if it is not on the first page. |
| Windows Alt code | Alt + 62 (hold Alt, type the number on the number pad) |
| Unicode | U+003E |
| HTML code | > |
Quick practice drill
Type the examples below. The keyboard shows which finger and Shift key to use.
Want more? Practice this reach in Lesson 21: All Letters Review, or warm up with typing practice and Falling Words.
Related symbols
See all symbols in Keyboard Characters and Meanings.
FAQ
What is the > symbol called?
> is called the greater-than sign. It is also called right angle bracket, close chevron.
How do you type greater-than sign on a keyboard?
Hold Shift with your left pinky, then press the . key with your right ring finger.
What does > mean?
The greater-than sign means the number on the left is bigger: 9 > 4.