What ↲ means
↲ is a bent arrow whose tip points left. Treat it as a directional mark; its specific meaning depends on the notation around it.
In MathML, a format for mathematical content on the web, ↲ is an infix operator—a sign placed between parts of an expression. MathML may stretch it to fit the expression, so its proportions can change on screen.
Don't confuse it with
1Questions people ask
1Why does ↲ show as a box on some devices?
Because that device's fonts have no glyph for it. The character is still correct and still copies correctly — the box is a missing glyph, not a broken character.
How to type ↲
Windows (Word)
Alt+XType 21B2, then Alt+X to get ↲.
Windows
Win+Rrun charmap for the full table, or use the emoji picker's Ω symbols tab (Win + .).
macOS
Control+Command+SpaceOpen the character viewer and search “downwards arrow with tip leftwards”.
Linux
Ctrl+Shift+UType 21b2, then Enter or Space.
HTML
↲CSS
\21B2Microsoft Word
In a Word equation, type `\ldsh` and let UnicodeMath convert it; Microsoft documents the command as of 2026.
Codes and encoding1 code points
HTML decimal
↲
HTML hex
↲
CSS content
content: "\21B2";
Each escape is closed by the next backslash; a trailing space is needed before a literal hex digit.
URL encoded
%E2%86%B2
1
On screen
1
Code points
1
JS .length
3
UTF-8 bytes
A visible symbol can contain several code points. JS .length counts UTF-16 units; UTF-8 counts bytes.