HTML Entity for Left Arrow Hook (↩)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Left Arrow Hook (↩) in HTML using the named entity, hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This symbol is U+21A9 (LEFTWARDS ARROW WITH HOOK) in the Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF)—a leftwards arrow with hook, commonly used for return/enter key notation, navigation, and UI elements.
Render it with ↩ (named), ↩, ↩, or CSS \21A9. Related: U+21AA (↪, right arrow hook / ↪), U+2190 (←, simple left arrow / ←).
⚡ Quick Reference — Left Arrow Hook
U+21A9Arrows block
↩Hexadecimal reference
↩Decimal reference
↩Most readable option
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+21A9
Hex code ↩
HTML code ↩
Named entity ↩
CSS code \21A9
Meaning Leftwards arrow with hook
Related U+21AA = right arrow hook (↪)
U+2190 = left arrow (←)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing the Left Arrow Hook (↩) using the named entity, hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\21A9";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Symbol using Hexadecimal: ↩</p>
<p>Symbol using HTML Code: ↩</p>
<p>Symbol using HTML Entity: ↩</p>
<p id="point">Symbol using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Left Arrow Hook (↩) renders in modern browsers when the font includes Arrows block glyphs:
👀 Live Preview
See the Left Arrow Hook (↩) in navigation and return-key contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Named HTML Entity
↩ is the named entity for the Left Arrow Hook (leftwards arrow with hook). It is easy to read in navigation and return-key markup.
Hexadecimal Code
↩ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 21A9. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
↩ uses the decimal Unicode value 8617 for the same symbol.
CSS Entity
\21A9 is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::after.
Same visual result
All four methods produce ↩. Unicode U+21A9 is in the Arrows block. Next: Left Arrow Loop.
Use Cases
The Left Arrow Hook (↩) is commonly used in:
Return, back, or left-direction controls in app headers, toolbars, and menus.
Indicate return or enter key in keyboard shortcuts, forms, or documentation.
Document flow, submit actions, or specification notation that uses this arrow.
Submit, enter, or “send” hints in forms and dialogs.
Indicate return path or feedback loop in process and state diagrams.
Distinct arrow-with-hook style in logos, icons, or text-based design.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Prefer
↩in HTML for readability - Pair ↩ with text (e.g., “Return”) or
aria-labelfor accessibility - Use fonts that support the Arrows block (U+21A9)
- Set
<meta charset="utf-8"> - Keep one encoding style per project for consistency
- Use ↩ where return/enter meaning is clear from context
Don’t
- Use CSS
\21A9inside HTML text nodes - Confuse ↩ with ↪ (right hook) or simple ←
- Rely on the symbol alone without context in critical UI
- Use ↩ purely decoratively where a labeled button is clearer
- Mix named and numeric entities inconsistently in the same component
Key Takeaways
Four ways to render U+21A9 in web content
↩ ↩ ↩For CSS, use \21A9 in the content property
Unicode U+21A9 — LEFTWARDS ARROW WITH HOOK
Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF)
Previous: Left Arrow Headless Tail (⤙) Next: Left Arrow Loop
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
↩ (named), ↩ (hex), ↩ (decimal), or \21A9 in CSS content. All four methods render ↩ correctly.U+21A9 (LEFTWARDS ARROW WITH HOOK). Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF). Hex 21A9, decimal 8617. Often used for return or enter key notation.↩, ↩, ↩) go in markup. The CSS escape \21A9 is used in stylesheets, typically on ::before or ::after. Both produce ↩.↩ is the named HTML entity for U+21A9. You can also use ↩ (decimal), ↩ (hex), or \21A9 in CSS.Explore More HTML Entities!
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