> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.wem.io/platform/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.wem.io/platform/wemreference/operators/less-than.md).

# Less-than <

Operator: <

{% hint style="info" %}
The Less Than operator **`<`** is used to compare two values and to check whether a value is less than the other.\
The `<` operator can be used to compare values of the following types:

* text
* number
* duration
* datetime
* concept
* reference

This function is SQL compatible. For more information about SQL compatibility, see our [documentation](/platform/wemreference/sql-compatibility.md).
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
The result of the `<` operator is true or false.\
&#x20;The result is <mark style="color:green;">True</mark> when`Value1` is less than or equal to `Value2`.\
&#x20;The result is <mark style="color:red;">False</mark> when `Value1` is **not** less than or equal to `Value2`.

* number <= number&#x20;
* text <= text returns (alphabetical comparison, case insensitive)
* datetime <= datetime&#x20;
* duration <= duration&#x20;
* concept <= concept (applies to the order of concepts)
* reference <= reference&#x20;

If any of the operands is unknown, the result is also unknown.\
If operands are not of the same type, the "*<mark style="color:red;">expression type mismatch</mark>*" warning is displayed.
{% endhint %}

<details>

<summary><mark style="color:blue;">value1</mark> &#x3C; <mark style="color:blue;">value2</mark> </summary>

`35 < 35` \
*=> No*

`234 < 2345`\
*=> Yes*

`"text1" < "text2"`\
*=> Yes*

`Today() < UTCNow()`\
*=> Yes*

`'12d' < '350m'`\
*=> No*

`'Product categories'.'Monitor' < 'Product categories'.'Phone'`\
*=> Yes (in the order of concepts, Monitor comes first)*

`[Data.CurrentUser] < [OtherUser]`\
*=> Yes (if current-user-id < other-user-id)*

</details>


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