How to Type Arrow Symbols (→ ← ↑ ↓)

To type an arrow on Windows, hold Alt and type 26 on the numeric keypad for →, 27 for ←, 24 for ↑ or 25 for ↓. In Microsoft Word, typing --> becomes → automatically. On a Mac, iPhone or Android there is no built-in arrow shortcut, so copy the arrow below or use the symbol picker.

Arrows are some of the most searched-for symbols, and also some of the most confusing, because Unicode has hundreds of them. This guide covers every practical way to type the four basic arrows, plus the double, long and circular arrows people ask for most.

The basic arrows at a glance

Need a different style? The arrows category has every Unicode arrow, from harpoons to curved and dashed arrows, each with a copy button.

Windows: Alt codes for arrows

1. Turn on Num Lock.
2. Hold Alt.
3. Type the number on the numeric keypad: Alt + 24 for ↑, Alt + 25 for ↓, Alt + 26 for → or Alt + 27 for ←.
4. Release Alt.

These short codes come from code page 437, the character set of the original IBM PC, which placed the arrows among its first 32 characters. The same range gives Alt + 29 for ↔ and Alt + 18 for ↕. There is no leading-zero version of these codes because the arrows are not in the Windows-1252 table.

Two caveats. First, the number keys along the top of the keyboard do not work; you need a keypad. Second, because codes 1 to 31 overlap with control characters, a few programs insert nothing when you type them. They work in Word, Notepad and most browsers. Double, long and circular arrows have no Alt code at all.

No numeric keypad?

• Emoji panel: press Windows + ., open the Ω Symbols tab and look in the math and geometric sections for arrows.
• Character Map: run charmap, tick Advanced view, and search for “arrow,” or type 2192 in the Go to Unicode box.
• Copy and paste from this page or the symbol search.

Microsoft Word: AutoCorrect and Alt+X

AutoCorrect

Word’s default AutoCorrect list turns --> into → and <-- into ← as soon as you type a space or punctuation after it. If you wanted the literal characters (in a code sample, for example), press Ctrl + Z straight away to undo the change. To see the other arrow entries your version includes, or to add ones for ↑ and ↓, open File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.

Alt+X

Type an arrow’s hex code point and press Alt + X. This works for every arrow in Unicode and does not need a numeric keypad.

You can also insert arrows from Insert > Symbol > More Symbols: choose (normal text) as the font and Arrows in the Subset list. In equations (Insert > Equation), typing rightarrow followed by a space inserts →.

Google Docs

Open Insert > Special characters and search “arrow,” or draw one in the sketch box. For quick typing, add a substitution under Tools > Preferences > Substitutions, for example -> → →. Check the existing list first, since your account may already have an arrow entry.

Mac

macOS has no Option-key shortcut for arrows on the U.S. layout. Use one of these instead:

• Character Viewer: press Control + Command + Space, expand the window, choose the Arrows category (add it via Customize List if it’s missing) or search “arrow,” and double-click the one you want.
• Text Replacements: in System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacements, add -> with → as the replacement. It then works in most Mac apps and syncs to your iPhone.

iPhone and Android

Phone keyboards have no plain arrow key. Search “arrow” on the emoji keyboard for emoji arrows such as ➡ and ⬅, or copy a text arrow like → and save it as a shortcut: Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement on iPhone, or Gboard’s personal dictionary on Android.

HTML

Arrows have short named entities: → for →, ← for ←, ↑ for ↑, ↓ for ↓ and ⇒ for ⇒. Numeric references always work too, such as → or →. See the HTML entity table for the full list.

Which arrow should you use?

• Right Arrow (→): the general-purpose arrow for directions, steps (“File → Save”), mappings and “leads to.” It is plain text, so it takes on your font’s color and size.
• Double Right Arrow (⇒): in logic and math it means “implies.” Use Double Left Right Arrow (⇔) for “if and only if.”
• Long Right Arrow (⟶): a longer arrow for math notation and diagrams where → looks cramped.
• ➡ (right arrow emoji): shows as a colorful emoji on most phones and in many apps. Fine for social media, but it will not match your text.
• Clockwise Arrow (↻) and Counterclockwise Arrow (↺): refresh, redo, undo and rotation.
• ->: two ASCII characters, not a symbol. Keep it in code, where languages and Markdown expect it; use → in prose.

Not sure which arrow you have? Paste it into the Unicode lookup to see its exact name and code point.

Troubleshooting

• Alt + 26 types nothing. Use the numeric keypad with Num Lock on. If it still fails, the app blocks low codes; use the emoji panel or copy and paste.
• The arrow turns into an emoji. Some arrows, including ↔ and ↕, have emoji versions. Phones and some apps display them in color. That’s the device’s choice, not a different character.
• Word didn’t convert –>. AutoCorrect may be off or the entry deleted. Check AutoCorrect Options, or use Alt+X.
• You see a box instead of an arrow. The font lacks that arrow. Basic arrows are in almost every font; unusual ones may need a font such as Segoe UI Symbol.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Alt code for the right arrow?

Alt + 26 on the numeric keypad types →.

How do I make an arrow with the keyboard in Word?

Type --> and a space and Word’s AutoCorrect converts it to →. Or type 2192 and press Alt + X.

Is there a Mac shortcut for arrows?

Not on the standard U.S. layout. Use the Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) or set up a text replacement.

What does ⇒ mean?

The double right arrow means “implies” in logic and mathematics. In everyday writing it is also used like a bold version of →.