Leftwards Harpoon Over Rightwards Harpoon Symbol
The ⇋ symbol shows a bidirectional harpoon-style arrow: leftwards over rightwards.
U+21CB
The ⇋ symbol (U+21CB) is used to represent a two-way, harpoon-style directional mark. It’s often seen in technical writing, diagrams, and typographic notation. You can copy it directly or use its HTML, CSS, or JavaScript escapes.
Leftwards Harpoon Over Rightwards Harpoon Symbol Meaning
⇋ is the “leftwards harpoon over rightwards harpoon” character. Visually, it combines a left-pointing harpoon with a right-pointing harpoon, stacked/paired so the directionality is shown on both sides. Depending on the font and context, it can be interpreted as a bidirectional relationship—moving or pointing both left and right—or as a stylistic arrow used in diagrams and structured text. In practice, designers and technical writers use it as a more ornate alternative to standard left-right arrows when a bidirectional “harpoon” look is desired.
Common uses
- •Indicating a two-way action or exchange in documentation and specs.
- •Labeling directions in diagrams where both left and right movement matters.
- •Adding typographic emphasis for bidirectional links or references in UI text.
- •Representing reversible operations or “switching” in technical writing.
- •Creating consistent arrow notation in infographics and educational materials.
Examples
⇋ Leftwards Harpoon Over Rightwards Harpoon
- ⇋Traffic ⇋ pedestrians at crossings
- ⇋Packets ⇋ acknowledgments (bidirectional)
- ⇋Signal ⇋ response channel
- ⇋Status ⇋ result (reversible step)
- ⇋Move ⇋ compare settings
Variations
Ready to copy
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+21CB | |
| HTML Entity | ⇋ | |
| HTML Code | ⇋ | |
| CSS | \21CB | |
| Alt Code | Alt + 8651 | |
| Decimal | 8651 |
How to type Leftwards Harpoon Over Rightwards Harpoon Symbol (⇋)
On Windows
Hold Alt and type 8651 on the numeric keypad. In Word, type 21CB then press Alt + X.
On Mac
Switch to the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, then hold Option and type 21CB. Or press Control + Command + Space and search.
On Linux
Press Control + Shift + U, type 21cb, 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 Harpoon Over Rightwards Harpoon symbol mean?
⇋ is the “leftwards harpoon over rightwards harpoon” character. Visually, it combines a left-pointing harpoon with a right-pointing harpoon, stacked/paired so the directionality is shown on both sides. Depending on the font and context, it can be interpreted as a bidirectional relationship—moving or pointing both left and right—or as a stylistic arrow used in diagrams and structured text. In practice, designers and technical writers use it as a more ornate alternative to standard left-right arrows when a bidirectional “harpoon” look is desired.
What is the Unicode name and code point for ⇋?
The Unicode name is “LEFTWARDS HARPOON OVER RIGHTWARDS HARPOON” and the code point is U+21CB.
How can I paste or type the ⇋ symbol?
You can copy it directly from this page. For programming or styling, use the HTML entity ⇋, or the CSS escape \\21CB, or JavaScript escape \\u{21CB}.
Does ⇋ always mean bidirectional movement?
It commonly suggests a left-and-right (bidirectional) relationship due to its paired directions. Exact meaning can vary by context, diagram conventions, or accompanying text.
Will ⇋ look the same in every font?
Appearance can vary slightly across fonts, but the character shape and directionality remain consistent. If you need a specific look, test it with your target font and platform.