HTML Entity for Left Arrow Loop (↫)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Left Arrow Loop (↫) in HTML using the named entity, hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This symbol is U+21AB (LEFTWARDS ARROW WITH LOOP) in the Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF)—a leftwards arrow with loop, commonly used for undo/redo notation, loop-back navigation, and UI elements.
Render it with ↫ (named), ↫, ↫, or CSS \21AB. Related: U+21AC (↬, right arrow loop / ↬), U+21A9 (↩, left arrow hook / ↩).
⚡ Quick Reference — Left Arrow Loop
U+21ABArrows block
↫Hexadecimal reference
↫Decimal reference
↫Most readable option
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+21AB
Hex code ↫
HTML code ↫
Named entity ↫
CSS code \21AB
Meaning Leftwards arrow with loop
Related U+21AC = right arrow loop (↬)
U+21A9 = left arrow hook (↩)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing the Left Arrow Loop (↫) using the named entity, hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\21AB";
}
</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 Loop (↫) renders in modern browsers when the font includes Arrows block glyphs:
👀 Live Preview
See the Left Arrow Loop (↫) in navigation and undo contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Named HTML Entity
↫ is the named entity for the Left Arrow Loop (leftwards arrow with loop). It is easy to read in navigation and undo markup.
Hexadecimal Code
↫ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 21AB. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
↫ uses the decimal Unicode value 8619 for the same symbol.
CSS Entity
\21AB is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::after.
Same visual result
All four methods produce ↫. Unicode U+21AB is in the Arrows block. Next: Left Arrow Over Right Arrow.
Use Cases
The Left Arrow Loop (↫) is commonly used in:
Return, back, or left-direction controls in app headers, toolbars, and menus.
Indicate undo or return-to-origin in toolbars, shortcuts, or documentation.
Document flow, loop-back, or specification notation that uses this arrow.
Show shortcut hints for undo or back-with-loop in help and UI.
Indicate loop-back or return path in process and state diagrams.
Distinct arrow-with-loop style in logos, icons, or text-based design.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Prefer
↫in HTML for readability - Pair ↫ with text (e.g., “Undo”) or
aria-labelfor accessibility - Use fonts that support the Arrows block (U+21AB)
- Set
<meta charset="utf-8"> - Keep one encoding style per project for consistency
- Use ↫ where loop-back or undo meaning is clear from context
Don’t
- Use CSS
\21ABinside HTML text nodes - Confuse ↫ with ↬ (right loop) or ↩ (hook)
- 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+21AB in web content
↫ ↫ ↫For CSS, use \21AB in the content property
Unicode U+21AB — LEFTWARDS ARROW WITH LOOP
Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF)
Previous: Left Arrow Hook (↩) Next: Left Arrow Over Right Arrow
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
↫ (named), ↫ (hex), ↫ (decimal), or \21AB in CSS content. All four methods render ↫ correctly.U+21AB (LEFTWARDS ARROW WITH LOOP). Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF). Hex 21AB, decimal 8619. Often used for undo or loop-back navigation.↫, ↫, ↫) go in markup. The CSS escape \21AB is used in stylesheets, typically on ::before or ::after. Both produce ↫.↫ is the named HTML entity for U+21AB. You can also use ↫ (decimal), ↫ (hex), or \21AB in CSS.Explore More HTML Entities!
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