Short answer: On Windows, hold Alt and type 26 on the numeric keypad for → (24 = ↑, 25 = ↓, 27 = ←). In Word, type --> and it turns into →. On a Mac or phone, there’s no single key — copy the arrow from the tool below.
Tap to copy an arrow symbol
Arrow symbols show direction, sequence and cause: a flow like Draft → Review → Publish, a value moving ↑ or ↓, a two-way link ↔. None of them sit on a standard keyboard, and the right method depends a lot on where you’re typing. This is part of the Arrow symbols hub; here’s the fastest route on every platform, plus the fix for the classic “it turned into a coloured emoji” problem.
Quick reference — the four main arrows
| Arrow | Name | Windows (keypad) | Word | HTML | Unicode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| → | Right | Alt + 26 | --> or 2192 Alt + X | → | U+2192 |
| ← | Left | Alt + 27 | <-- or 2190 Alt + X | ← | U+2190 |
| ↑ | Up | Alt + 24 | 2191 Alt + X | ↑ | U+2191 |
| ↓ | Down | Alt + 25 | 2193 Alt + X | ↓ | U+2193 |
| ↔ | Left-right | Alt + 29 | 2194 Alt + X | ↔ | U+2194 |
| ⇒ | Double right | — | ==> or 21D2 Alt + X | ⇒ | U+21D2 |
Windows
With a numeric keypad: turn on Num Lock, hold Alt, and type the code on the keypad — Alt + 26 for →, Alt + 27 for ←, Alt + 24 for ↑, Alt + 25 for ↓, Alt + 29 for ↔. There’s no leading zero on these; they’re legacy extended codes, so use the keypad, not the number row above the letters, or you’ll get the wrong character. These four cover most everyday needs.
Without a numeric keypad (most laptops): press Win + . to open the emoji and symbols panel, click the symbols tab, and pick an arrow — the same panel behind the Windows emoji shortcut. For anything beyond the basic four (curved, heavy, double), the fastest route is Word’s Alt + X method below.
Mac
macOS has no dedicated Option shortcut for arrows — they aren’t among the built-in Option combinations. Two reliable routes instead:
- Character Viewer. Press Control + Command + Space, type arrow in the search box, and double-click the one you want. This reaches every arrow style.
- Text replacement (for one you use often). Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements, add → as the phrase and something like
-->as the shortcut. After that, typing your trigger inserts the arrow anywhere in macOS.
iPhone and Android
Standard phone keyboards don’t include the plain text arrows (→ ← ↑ ↓). You have two options:
- Copy and paste the arrow you need — the tool at the top of this page is built for exactly that.
- Emoji keyboard. It carries arrow emoji (➡️ ⬅️ ⬆️ ⬇️ ↔️), found in the symbols section. Note these are emoji: they often render in colour and can look different from app to app, so they’re not the same as the plain text → (see the emoji troubleshooting below).
For an arrow you type constantly, set up a shortcut: iPhone → Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement; Android (Gboard) → Settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary. Pick a trigger you’d never type by accident.
Word, Google Docs and the web
Microsoft Word autocorrect is the quickest desktop method: type --> and it becomes →, <-- becomes ←, ==> becomes ⇒, and <== becomes ⇐. For any other arrow, type its Unicode hex and press Alt + X — 2192 then Alt + X gives →, 21D2 then Alt + X gives ⇒. You can also go Insert → Symbol → More Symbols and choose the Arrows subset.
Google Docs applies the same --> substitution automatically, or use Insert → Special characters and search arrow.
Google Sheets takes a pasted Unicode arrow directly in a cell — no formula needed unless the arrow has to change with a value. (More app-specific tips: symbols in Google Sheets.)
Chromebook / Linux: press Ctrl + Shift + U, type the hex code (2192 for →), then press Enter.
HTML / web: the named entities are → for →, ← for ←, ↑ for ↑ and ↓ for ↓; the numeric form for → is →. The Unicode code point for → is U+2192.
Single vs double arrows
Use → (single line, U+2192) for ordinary direction or a sequence. Use ⇒ (double line, U+21D2) for “implies” in logic and maths — in equations the difference carries meaning. ↔ shows a two-way relationship, and ↩ (U+21A9) reads as return or reply. Don’t mix them by accident in technical writing.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Alt + 26 does nothing | Num Lock is off, or you used the top-row numbers. Use the numeric keypad with Num Lock on. |
| Laptop has no numpad | Use Win + . (symbols tab), or Word’s 2192 + Alt + X, or copy from the tool above. |
| Arrow shows as a colour emoji, not → | A variation selector is forcing emoji presentation, or you copied the heavy arrow ➡ (U+27A1). Delete it and insert the plain single-line → (U+2192). |
| Arrow shows as a box ▯ | The font lacks that glyph. Switch to a common font (Arial, Segoe UI). More: symbol showing as a box. |
--> won’t convert in Word | AutoCorrect is off or has an exception. Turn on Replace text as you type, or use 2192 + Alt + X. |
| Alt code gives the wrong character | You’re on the number row, not the keypad. See why Alt codes don’t work. |
Frequently asked questions
How do you type an arrow symbol on Windows?
Turn on Num Lock, hold Alt, and type the code on the numeric keypad: Alt + 26 for →, Alt + 27 for ←, Alt + 24 for ↑, Alt + 25 for ↓. The number row above the letters won’t work — you must use the keypad.
How do you type an arrow on a Mac?
There is no dedicated Option shortcut for arrows on Mac. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, type “arrow”, and double-click the one you want. For an arrow you use often, set up a text replacement in System Settings → Keyboard.
Why does my arrow show up as a coloured emoji instead of →?
A hidden variation selector is forcing the emoji version, or you copied the heavy arrow ➡ (U+27A1). Delete it and insert the plain single-line arrow → (U+2192) to get the black text form.
What is the difference between → and ⇒?
→ (U+2192) is a single-line, general-purpose arrow for direction or sequence. ⇒ (U+21D2) is double-lined and means “implies” in maths and logic. In equations the difference matters; in ordinary writing people use them loosely.
Is there an arrow symbol on the phone keyboard?
The standard iPhone and Android keyboards don’t include the plain text arrows. Use the emoji keyboard for arrow emoji (➡️ ⬅️ ⬆️ ⬇️), or copy the plain text arrow and, for frequent use, save it as a text replacement.
What are the Unicode code points and HTML entities for arrows?
→ is U+2192, ← is U+2190, ↑ is U+2191, ↓ is U+2193. In HTML the named entities are →, ←, ↑ and ↓; the numeric form for → is →.
Recap
- Desktop with a numpad → Alt + 26 (→), 27 (←), 24 (↑), 25 (↓).
- In Word → type
-->,<--,==>; or hex + Alt + X for the rest. - Mac → Character Viewer (Ctrl + Cmd + Space, search arrow).
- Phone → copy it, or use a text replacement.
Written by Igor R.. Tested on Windows 11, macOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, Word and Google Docs. Last updated July 2026. Symbol code points follow the Unicode Standard.