HTML Entity for Left Arrow (←)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Left Arrow (←) in HTML using the named entity, hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This symbol is U+2190 (LEFTWARDS ARROW) in the Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF)—essential for navigation, back buttons, pagination, sliders, and any UI that indicates left or previous direction.
Render it with ← (named), ←, ←, or CSS \2190. Unlike many symbols, the Left Arrow has a readable named entity. Related: U+2192 (→, right arrow), U+2194 (↔, left-right arrow).
⚡ Quick Reference — Left Arrow
U+2190Arrows block
←Hexadecimal reference
←Decimal reference
←Most readable option
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+2190
Hex code ←
HTML code ←
Named entity ←
CSS code \2190
Meaning Leftwards arrow
Related U+2192 = right arrow (→)
U+2194 = left-right arrow (↔)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing the Left Arrow (←) using the named entity, hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\2190";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Left Arrow using Hexadecimal: ←</p>
<p>Left Arrow using HTML Code: ←</p>
<p>Left Arrow using HTML Entity: ←</p>
<p id="point">Left Arrow using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Left Arrow (←) is universally supported in all modern browsers—it is one of the most common arrow symbols on the web:
👀 Live Preview
See the Left Arrow (←) rendered in common UI contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Named HTML Entity
← is the standard named entity for the Left Arrow. It is easy to read and remember in source HTML.
Hexadecimal Code
← uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 2190. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
← uses the decimal Unicode value 8592 for the same leftwards arrow character.
CSS Entity
\2190 is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.
Same visual result
All four methods produce the Left Arrow: ←. Unicode U+2190 sits in the Arrows block. Next: Left Arrow Above Short Right Arrow.
Use Cases
The Left Arrow (←) is commonly used in:
Back buttons, breadcrumbs, and app headers indicating previous or left direction.
Previous page controls in galleries, lists, and multi-step forms.
Previous slide or panel in image sliders and tabbed content.
Keyboard labels (e.g. ← Back) and shortcut hints in help text.
Flow direction in flowcharts, process flows, and technical documentation.
Previous step or go-back in multi-step wizards and onboarding flows.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Prefer
←in HTML for readable source markup - Pair the arrow with text (e.g. “← Back”) or use
aria-label - Keep one entity style consistent across your project
- Set
<meta charset="utf-8"> - Use CSS
\2190for decorative arrows in pseudo-elements - Test arrow rendering across browsers and fonts
Don’t
- Use the arrow alone without context for interactive controls
- Mix entity styles randomly in one file
- Use CSS
\2190inside HTML text nodes - Confuse ← (left) with → (right) or ↔ (both)
- Rely on the arrow as the only accessibility cue
Key Takeaways
Four ways to render U+2190 in HTML and CSS
← ← ←For CSS, use \2190 in the content property
Unicode U+2190 — LEFTWARDS ARROW
Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF)
Previous: Left Angle Below (͉) Next: Left Arrow Above Short Right Arrow
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
← (named), ← (hex), ← (decimal), or \2190 in CSS content. All four methods render ←.U+2190 (LEFTWARDS ARROW). Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF). Hex 2190, decimal 8592. Widely used in navigation, UI, and directional interfaces.←, ←, ←) go in markup. The CSS escape \2190 is used in stylesheets, typically on ::before or ::after. Both render ←.← is the named HTML entity for U+2190. You can also use ← (decimal) or ← (hex) and \2190 in CSS—all equivalent in modern browsers.Explore More HTML Entities!
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