HTML Entity for Downward Paired Arrows (⇊)

Beginner
⏱️ 5 min read
📚 Updated: Jun 2026
🎯 1 Code Example
Unicode U+21CA
HTML entity for Downward Paired Arrows (U+21CA) — hex, decimal, and ⇊ tutorial

What You'll Learn

How to display the Downward Paired Arrows (⇊) in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, the named entity ⇊, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+21CA (DOWNWARDS PAIRED ARROWS) in the Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF)—two downward arrows side by side, often used in logic flows, diagrams, and mathematical notation.

Render it with ⇊, ⇊, ⇊, or CSS escape \21CA. Do not confuse ⇊ (paired down, U+21CA) with ⇓ (⇓, double-line down) or ↡ (↡, two-headed down).

⚡ Quick Reference — Downward Paired Arrows

Unicode U+21CA

Arrows block

Hex Code ⇊

Hexadecimal reference

HTML Code ⇊

Decimal reference

Named Entity ⇊

HTML5 named entity for U+21CA

Reference Table
Name           Value
────────────   ──────────
Unicode        U+21CA
Hex code       ⇊
HTML code      ⇊
Named entity   ⇊
CSS code       \21CA
Related        U+21C8 = Up paired (⇈); U+21D3 = Double down (⇓)
1

Complete HTML Example

This example demonstrates the Downward Paired Arrows (⇊) using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, the named entity ⇊, and a CSS content escape:

html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
 <style>
  #point:after{
   content: "\21CA";
  }
 </style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Downward Paired Arrows using Hexadecimal: &#x21CA;</p>
<p>Downward Paired Arrows using HTML Code: &#8650;</p>
<p>Downward Paired Arrows using HTML Entity: &ddarr;</p>
<p id="point">Downward Paired Arrows using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>
Try it Yourself

🌐 Browser Support

U+21CA is widely supported in modern browsers when rendered with a font that includes Arrows:

Chrome 1+
Firefox 1+
Safari 1+
Edge 12+
Opera 4+
Android 4.4+
iOS Safari 1+

👀 Live Preview

See the Downward Paired Arrows (⇊) in logic and diagram contexts:

Large glyph ⇊
Parallel flow Branch A ⇊ Merge
vs up paired ⇈ up   ⇊ down
Logic diagram State ⇊ Next
Named entity &ddarr; → ⇊
All HTML refs &#x21CA; &#8650; &ddarr;

🧠 How It Works

1

Hexadecimal Code

&#x21CA; uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 21CA to display the Downward Paired Arrows. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.

HTML markup
2

Decimal HTML Code

&#8650; uses the decimal Unicode value 8650 to display the same character.

HTML markup
3

Named HTML Entity

&ddarr; is the HTML5 named entity for U+21CA (Downwards Paired Arrows). It is easy to read in source and resolves to ⇊.

HTML markup
4

CSS Entity

\21CA is used in CSS stylesheets, particularly in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.

CSS stylesheet
=

Same visual result

All four methods produce: ⇊. Unicode U+21CA. Up paired: &uuarr; (⇈). Serve HTML as UTF-8.

✅

Use Cases

The Downward Paired Arrows (⇊) is commonly used in:

⊢ Logic flows

Represent paired or parallel downward relations in logic and formal notation.

📊 Diagrams

Show two parallel downward paths in flowcharts and technical diagrams.

∑ Math notation

Indicate paired downward mappings or relations in mathematical content.

📖 Documentation

Explain parallel downward steps in specs and developer docs.

💻 UI design

Distinctive paired-down icon in symbol libraries and design systems.

♿ Accessibility

Use aria-label when the symbol conveys direction or paired flow.

💡 Best Practices

Do

  • Prefer &ddarr; for readable markup, or numeric &#x21CA; / &#8650;
  • Add aria-label when the symbol means paired downward flow or parallel paths
  • Pair ⇊ with a legend in diagrams and logic notation
  • Use \21CA in CSS ::before / ::after for paired-down icons
  • Serve pages with UTF-8 (<meta charset="utf-8">)

Don’t

  • Confuse &ddarr; (⇊, paired down) with &dArr; (⇓, double-line down)
  • Confuse &ddarr; with &Darr; (↡, two-headed down) or &darr; (↓, single down)
  • Put CSS escape \21CA in HTML text nodes
  • Rely on the symbol alone in accessibility-critical UIs
  • Assume decorative fonts include all Arrows glyphs

Key Takeaways

1

Named entity available: &ddarr;

&#x21CA; &#8650;
2

For CSS stylesheets, use the escape in the content property

\21CA
3

Unicode U+21CA — DOWNWARDS PAIRED ARROWS

4

Not &dArr; (⇓) or &darr; (↓) — different entities

5

Four methods, one glyph — widely supported in modern browsers

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Use &#x21CA; (hex), &#8650; (decimal), &ddarr; (named entity), or \21CA in CSS content. All produce ⇊.
U+21CA (DOWNWARDS PAIRED ARROWS). Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF). Hex 21CA, decimal 8650. Two downward arrows side by side.
In logic flows, diagrams, mathematical notation, technical documentation, and any content where paired or parallel downward arrows are needed.
&ddarr; is easier to read in source than &#8650; or &#x21CA;, but all produce ⇊. The CSS escape \21CA is used in stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements.
&ddarr; is the named HTML entity for the Downwards Paired Arrows (⇊, U+21CA). The name suggests “double down arrow.” Do not confuse with &dArr; (⇓), &Darr; (↡), or &darr; (↓)—each is a different HTML5 arrow entity.

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About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

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