# Less-than test

Learn how to check if a value is less than another.

This test checks whether a value is less than another value. In terms of semantics, this test is equivalent to the [less than operation](/reference/cql/expressions/operations/comparison/less-than).

## Syntax

This test has the following syntax:

```cql
/*<value>*/ is less than /*<reference>*/
```

To negate the test, you can write:

```cql
/*<value>*/ is not less than /*<reference>*/
```

## Parameters

These are the supported parameters:

- `value`: `comparable`

  The value to compare with a reference value.

- `reference`: `comparable`

  The reference value for comparison.

## Examples

Here is a basic example of how to check whether a value is less than another value:

```cql
1 + 2 is less than 4 // true
```