GlyphIndexProper inclusion
{1, 2} ⊂ {1, 2, 3}The left set is contained in the right set and is not equal to it.
Subset sign
The subset sign ⊂ compares two sets. Some conventions allow equality; this reference uses it for a proper subset and makes that choice explicit.
SUBSET OF
Appearance can vary by font.
Character details
♡→✦
3 code pointsMeaning and context
The subset sign ⊂ compares two sets. Some conventions allow equality; this reference uses it for a proper subset and makes that choice explicit.
How to use it
When equality must be included, choose ⊆. When a proper subset must be unambiguous for specialist work, consider the explicit proper-subset notation used by your field.
Examples
State the convention
Here A ⊂ B means A is a proper subset of B.
Defining the notation removes the equality ambiguity.
Similar shapes, different characters
Subset-or-equal
U+2286This explicitly permits equality.
DetailsElement-of
U+2208Membership puts one element inside a set, not one set inside another.
DetailsSources and method
- Unicode 18.0.0 character database — Pinned standard character identities and properties; the application computes UTF encodings from the original text.
- Unicode character code charts — Reference glyphs are not a guarantee of the appearance in a user’s font.