U+2190 · Arrows

Left Arrow ←

The left arrow ← points backward and is used for back navigation, previous steps, and assignment in some programming notations. It appears in maps and instructions for directions, in math for mappings or limits approached from the right, and in plain-text flowcharts. It is one of the most familiar arrows on web and app interfaces.

WindowsAlt 27

UnicodeU+2190

HTML←

←U+2190

Character codes

Unicode code point	`U+2190`
Decimal	`8592`
HTML named entity	`←`
HTML (hex)	`←`
HTML (decimal)	`←`
CSS	`\2190`
JavaScript	`\u2190`
Python	`\u2190`
UTF-8 bytes	`E2 86 90`
UTF-16	`2190`
URL-encoded	`%E2%86%90`

Character details

Official name	LEFTWARDS ARROW
Unicode block	Arrows
General category	Math Symbol (Sm)
SymbolHero category	Arrows
Emoji	No

How to type ←

Windows

Hold Alt and type 27 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt. Alt 27 uses the code page 437.
In Microsoft Word or Outlook: type 2190 then press Alt + X.
Open Character Map (search “Character Map” in Start), tick “Advanced view”, search for “leftwards arrow”, then Select and Copy.

Mac

Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search “leftwards arrow”, and double-click the result.
With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 2190.

iPhone & Android

Tap Copy at the top of this page, then long-press where you want it and choose Paste.

Docs & web

Google Docs: Insert → Special characters, then search “leftwards arrow” or enter U+2190.
HTML: ← or ←
Excel / Google Sheets: =UNICHAR(8592)

Examples

← Back to homepage
x ← x + 1
Exit ← turn left here
Swipe ← to go back

Good to know

Don’t mix it up: It is often confused with the long leftwards arrow ⟵ (U+27F5), which is longer and used mainly in math.

Tip: Pair the arrow with text labels in buttons and links, so the meaning is clear to screen-reader users.

Display: the character itself is always the same code point, but its shape comes from the font on the device showing it. If you see an empty box, the font lacks this glyph—the text is still correct.