Left Right Arrow
Block: Arrows
- Symbol
- ↔
- Unicode
U+2194- Unicode name
- LEFT RIGHT ARROW
- Block
- Arrows
- Category
- Symbol, Math
- Type
- Unicode symbol
Left Right Arrow (↔) is encoded as U+2194 and has the formal Unicode name LEFT RIGHT ARROW. Unicode classifies it as Symbol, Math in the Arrows block. A bidirectional arrow pointing both left and right. Separately encoded named neighbors include ↕ Up Down Arrow (U+2195), ⇔ Left Right Double Arrow (U+21D4), and ⟷ Long Left Right Arrow (U+27F7); those records should be compared by name and code point rather than merged because their shapes or terminology are related.
How Context Narrows the Meaning of ↔
↔ is encoded as U+2194 and classified as Symbol, Math. Its formal name narrows it to the arrow/directional family rather than leaving the mark as an unidentified shape.
The Unicode identity and the surrounding document answer different questions: the code point tells you which character is present, while the surrounding formula, interface, document, or notation system determines the local interpretation. Keeping those layers separate prevents a visual guess from being treated as a character definition.
For a different unknown mark, try identify the ↔ symbol and identify the character from its glyph, Unicode value, or appearance.
Digital Representations of U+2194
U+2194 = decimal 8596 = HTML ↔ / ↔. A Unicode escape-style form is u2194. Its UTF-8 bytes are E2 86 94.
Use these identifiers in markup, source code, exports, or character diagnostics when the glyph alone is not enough.
Check the Code Point Before Replacing ↔
This character is linked with nearby or confusable records including ↕ Up Down Arrow (U+2195), ⇔ Left Right Double Arrow (U+21D4), and ⟷ Long Left Right Arrow (U+27F7). The relationship is useful for identification, but it does not make those characters interchangeable.
Fonts can reduce or exaggerate visual differences, so use each character's Unicode value and name when the distinction matters. Replacing one code point with another can change meaning, search behavior, parsing, sorting, or typography even when the glyphs appear close on screen.
The Practical Role of ↔
A bidirectional arrow pointing both left and right.
Why Left Right Arrow Can Look Different Across Platforms
Unicode defines the character or sequence, but the visual artwork comes from the font, emoji set, and rendering system. As a result, shape, color, proportions, and detail can vary without changing the encoded identity.
For identification, compare code points and sequence data rather than expecting pixel-for-pixel consistency. This is especially important for emoji and symbols whose presentation is highly stylized by platforms.