In mathematics, two elements x and y of a set partially ordered by a relation ≤ are said to be comparable if and only if x ≤ y or y ≤ x, or in terms of the strict version of the partial order, if and only if x < y or y < x or y = x. For example, two sets are comparable with respect to inclusion if and only if one is a subset of the other.

In a classification of mathematical objects such as topological spaces, two criteria are said to be comparable when the objects that obey one criterion constitute a subset (or subclass) of the objects that obey the other one (so the T₁ and T₂ axioms are comparable, while the T₁ axiom and the sobriety axiom are not).

See also comparison.