Leftwards Double Arrow Symbol
⇐ (leftwards double arrow) is a directional symbol used to show information or attention moving to the left.
U+21D0
The symbol ⇐ is called the leftwards double arrow. It’s commonly used in writing and UI text to indicate movement, direction, or “use the previous/left-side” context. You can copy it directly or use its HTML and programming escapes.
Leftwards Double Arrow Symbol Meaning
⇐ is the “leftwards double arrow,” meaning it points toward the left side. Because the arrow has two heads, it’s often used to emphasize direction or to suggest a linkage such as “from the left to here” or “go back to what’s on the left.” In plain text, it can mean “previous” or “earlier,” especially in navigation-like layouts (steps, menus, timelines, or comparisons). In technical and UI contexts, it may indicate assignment, mapping, or a return direction (for example, in diagrams or in text labels). Its most common practical usage is showing a clear leftward direction in communication and interface text.
Common uses
- •Indicating a “previous” step in instructions or tutorials
- •Marking a link or control that moves focus to the left in UI layouts
- •Representing “return to” or “go back” in navigation-style text
- •Showing direction in diagrams and simple workflow descriptions
- •Highlighting comparisons where the referenced item is on the left side
Examples
⇐ Leftwards Double Arrow
- ⇐Click ⇐ to go back to the previous page.
- ⇐Step 2: ⇐ Use the earlier option listed on the left.
- ⇐Select a category ⇐ then review the results.
- ⇐In the timeline, events move ⇐ as you go back in time.
- ⇐To edit the left value ⇐ choose “←” in the panel.
Variations
Ready to copy
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+21D0 | |
| HTML Entity | ⇐ | |
| HTML Code | ⇐ | |
| CSS | \21D0 | |
| Alt Code | Alt + 8656 | |
| Decimal | 8656 |
How to type Leftwards Double Arrow Symbol (⇐)
On Windows
Hold Alt and type 8656 on the numeric keypad. In Word, type 21D0 then press Alt + X.
On Mac
Switch to the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, then hold Option and type 21D0. Or press Control + Command + Space and search.
On Linux
Press Control + Shift + U, type 21d0, then press Enter or Space.
Anywhere
Copy ⇐ with the button above and paste it wherever you need it — this works on every device and in every app, with no keyboard shortcut to remember.
FAQ
What does the Leftwards Double Arrow symbol mean?
⇐ is the “leftwards double arrow,” meaning it points toward the left side. Because the arrow has two heads, it’s often used to emphasize direction or to suggest a linkage such as “from the left to here” or “go back to what’s on the left.” In plain text, it can mean “previous” or “earlier,” especially in navigation-like layouts (steps, menus, timelines, or comparisons). In technical and UI contexts, it may indicate assignment, mapping, or a return direction (for example, in diagrams or in text labels). Its most common practical usage is showing a clear leftward direction in communication and interface text.
What is the symbol ⇐ called?
It’s called the leftwards double arrow.
How do I copy the ⇐ symbol?
Copy the character directly from this page, or use the provided HTML entity (⇐) / CSS escape (\\21D0) / JavaScript escape (\\u{21D0}).
Where is ⇐ commonly used?
It’s often used to indicate a leftward direction such as “previous,” “back,” or “focus on the left side” in text, UI labels, and simple diagrams.
Is ⇐ the same as a normal left arrow (←)?
Not exactly. ⇐ is specifically the double-headed left arrow (U+21D0), while ← is a different symbol with a different codepoint.