Left Arrow
Block: Arrows
- Symbol
- ←
- Unicode
U+2190- Unicode name
- LEFTWARDS ARROW
- Block
- Arrows
- Category
- Symbol, Math
- Type
- Unicode symbol
Left Arrow (←) is encoded as U+2190 and has the formal Unicode name LEFTWARDS ARROW. Unicode classifies it as Symbol, Math in the Arrows block. A left-pointing arrow used for direction, navigation, mappings, and logical notation. Separately encoded named neighbors include → Right Arrow (U+2192), ⇐ Leftwards Double Arrow (U+21D0), and ⟵ Long Leftwards Arrow (U+27F5); those records should be compared by name and code point rather than merged because their shapes or terminology are related.
Unicode Identity First, Local Meaning Second
← is encoded as U+2190 and classified as Symbol, Math. Its formal name narrows it to the arrow/directional family rather than leaving the mark as an unidentified shape. A left-pointing arrow used for direction, navigation, mappings, and logical notation.
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.
Not the symbol you were looking for? Use what does ← mean? to identify another mark from pasted text, Unicode, or visual appearance.
How ← Is Used in Context
A left-pointing arrow used for direction, navigation, mappings, and logical notation.
How ← Is Encoded
U+2190 = decimal 8592 = HTML ← / ←. A Unicode escape-style form is u2190. Its UTF-8 bytes are E2 86 90.
Use these identifiers in markup, source code, exports, or character diagnostics when the glyph alone is not enough.
← and Its Separately Encoded Neighbors
Unicode stores ← as U+2190, while nearby records include → Right Arrow (U+2192), ⇐ Leftwards Double Arrow (U+21D0), ⟵ Long Leftwards Arrow (U+27F5), and ⬅ Leftwards Black Arrow (U+2B05). These are separate encoded identities, not alternate font drawings of one character.
The comparison is useful because a shared word in the name, a mirrored direction, or a similar outline can make two symbols appear interchangeable. When the distinction matters, compare the complete Unicode name and code point before replacing one record with another.
Characters That Can Be Confused With ←
This character is linked with nearby or confusable records including ⇐ Leftwards Double Arrow (U+21D0), ⟵ Long Leftwards Arrow (U+27F5), and ⬅ Leftwards Black Arrow (U+2B05). 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.