Enter two numbers and find out which is the larger, the smaller, or if they are equal. The calculator displays the correct mathematical symbol (>, < or =) and explains the result clearly.
Number Comparison Calculator
Enter your numbers to see which one is larger!
How to use the calculator
- Enter the First number (a) in the corresponding field.
- Enter the Second number (b) in the next field.
- The result appears automatically with the correct mathematical symbol.
- Click Clear to start over.
Comparison symbols
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| > | Greater than | 8 > 3 (eight is greater than three) |
| < | Less than | 2 < 7 (two is less than seven) |
| = | Equal to | 5 = 5 (five equals five) |
| ≥ | Greater than or equal to | x ≥ 4 (x is at least four) |
| ≤ | Less than or equal to | y ≤ 10 (y is at most ten) |
Comparing negative numbers
On the number line, numbers increase from left to right. Therefore:
- −10 < −3, because −10 is further to the left.
- −1 > −5, because −1 is further to the right.
- Every negative number is less than any positive number: −0.001 < 0.
Practical examples
| a | b | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | > | 2 | a > b (12 is greater than 2) |
| 0.5 | < | 1 | a < b (0.5 is less than 1) |
| −4 | < | −1 | a < b (−4 is less than −1) |
| 3.14 | = | 3.14 | a = b (equal numbers) |
| 100 | > | 99.9 | a > b (100 is greater than 99.9) |
Frequently asked questions
How do you compare two numbers?
Just subtract the second from the first: if the result is positive, the first is greater; if negative, the second is greater; if zero, they are equal. In practice, use the number line: the number further to the right is always greater.
What do the symbols >, < and = mean?
> means "greater than" (e.g.: 5 > 3), < means "less than" (e.g.: 2 < 7) and = means "equal to" (e.g.: 4 = 4). Tip: the opening of the symbol always points to the smaller number.
How do you compare negative numbers?
For negative numbers, the one with the greater absolute value is the smaller number. So −10 < −3, because −10 is further to the left on the number line. Every negative number is smaller than any positive number.
How do you compare decimals?
Align the decimal points and compare digit by digit from left to right. Example: 3.45 vs 3.46 — the integer part (3) is equal; at the first decimal place (4) they are also equal; at the second decimal place (5 vs 6), since 5 < 6, we have 3.45 < 3.46.
See also…
