> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/operators/compare.md).

# Compare Operators

Comparison operators (`>`, `>=`, `<`, `<=`) can be used for comparing scalar values of the same time.

The following types are currently supported:

* numbers
* strings
* datetimes

## Related Operators

* equals / not equals (`==`, `!=`) operators [here](https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/operators/equals)
* boolean operators (`and`, `or`, `any` etc) [here](https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/operators/boolean-operators)
* select operator [here](https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/operators/select)

## Compare numbers (>)

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
a: 5
b: 4
```

then

```bash
yq '.a > .b' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
true
```

## Compare equal numbers (>=)

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
a: 5
b: 5
```

then

```bash
yq '.a >= .b' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
true
```

## Compare strings

Compares strings by their bytecode.

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
a: zoo
b: apple
```

then

```bash
yq '.a > .b' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
true
```

## Compare date times

You can compare date times. Assumes RFC3339 date time format, see [date-time operators](https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/operators/date-time-operators) for more information.

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
a: 2021-01-01T03:10:00Z
b: 2020-01-01T03:10:00Z
```

then

```bash
yq '.a > .b' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
true
```

## Both sides are null: > is false

Running

```bash
yq --null-input '.a > .b'
```

will output

```yaml
false
```

## Both sides are null: >= is true

Running

```bash
yq --null-input '.a >= .b'
```

will output

```yaml
true
```


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/operators/compare.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.