U+21E7 · Arrows
Shift Key Symbol ⇧
This hollow upward arrow is the conventional label for the Shift key. Apple menus and documentation use it in shortcut notation, so ⇧⌘Z means Shift + Command + Z, and many keyboard keycaps and software settings screens print it as well. Its Unicode name, UPWARDS WHITE ARROW, reflects its outline shape rather than the key it represents.
Character codes
| Unicode code point | U+21E7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 8679 | |
| HTML (hex) | ⇧ | |
| HTML (decimal) | ⇧ | |
| CSS | \21E7 | |
| JavaScript | \u21E7 | |
| Python | \u21E7 | |
| UTF-8 bytes | E2 87 A7 | |
| UTF-16 | 21E7 | |
| URL-encoded | %E2%87%A7 |
Character details
| Official name | UPWARDS WHITE ARROW |
|---|---|
| Unicode block | Arrows |
| General category | Other Symbol (So) |
| SymbolHero category | Arrows |
| Emoji | No |
How to type ⇧
Windows
- In Microsoft Word or Outlook: type
21E7then press Alt + X. - Open Character Map (search “Character Map” in Start), tick “Advanced view”, search for “upwards white arrow”, then Select and Copy.
Mac
- Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search “upwards white arrow”, and double-click the result.
- With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type
21E7.
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 “upwards white arrow” or enter
U+21E7. - HTML:
⇧ - Excel / Google Sheets:
=UNICHAR(8679)
Examples
- Redo: ⇧⌘Z
- Press ⇧ + Tab to move back one field
- Screenshot area: ⇧⌘4
Good to know
Don’t mix it up: It resembles ⇑ (U+21D1, UPWARDS DOUBLE ARROW), which has two shafts and is a math or direction arrow, not a key label.
Tip: When writing Mac shortcut notation, list modifiers in Apple's order: Control ⌃, Option ⌥, Shift ⇧, Command ⌘.
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.
Similar arrows
Questions
What is the Unicode for ⇧?
It is U+21E7 (UPWARDS WHITE ARROW), decimal 8679.
Is there a Windows Alt code for it?
No standard Alt code exists for this character. In Word type 21E7 then Alt+X, or copy it from this page.
How do I type it on a Mac?
There is no built-in Option shortcut. Use the Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) and search “upwards white arrow”, or copy it from this page.
What is the HTML code?
Use the numeric reference ⇧ (or ⇧). There is no named entity.