HTML Entity for Left Open Headed Arrow (⇽)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Left Open Headed Arrow (⇽) in HTML using the named entity, hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This symbol is U+21FD (LEFTWARDS OPEN-HEADED ARROW) in the Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF)—a left-pointing arrow with an open (unfilled) head, used in navigation, diagrams, and directional notation.
Render it with ⇽ (named), ⇽, ⇽, or CSS \21FD. Related: U+2190 (←, simple left arrow / ←), U+21FE (⇾, right open headed arrow / ⇾).
⚡ Quick Reference — Left Open Headed Arrow
U+21FDArrows block
⇽Hexadecimal reference
⇽Decimal reference
⇽Most readable option
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+21FD
Hex code ⇽
HTML code ⇽
Named entity ⇽
CSS code \21FD
Meaning Leftwards open-headed arrow
Related U+2190 = left arrow (←)
U+21FE = right open headed arrow (⇾)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing the Left Open Headed Arrow (⇽) using the named entity, hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\21FD";
}
</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 Open Headed Arrow (⇽) renders in modern browsers when the font includes Arrows block glyphs:
👀 Live Preview
See the Left Open Headed Arrow (⇽) in navigation and diagram contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Named HTML Entity
⇽ is the named entity for the Left Open Headed Arrow (leftwards open-headed arrow). Easy to read in navigation and diagram markup.
Hexadecimal Code
⇽ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 21FD. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
⇽ uses the decimal Unicode value 8701 for the same symbol.
CSS Entity
\21FD is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::after.
Same visual result
All four methods produce ⇽. Unicode U+21FD is in the Arrows block. Previous: Left Normal Factor Semidirect Product.
Use Cases
The Left Open Headed Arrow (⇽) is commonly used in:
Back links, breadcrumbs, and return controls in web interfaces.
Show leftward flow or reverse direction in process diagrams.
Specialized left-pointing open-headed arrows in technical writing.
Illustrate directional symbols in guides and reference material.
Decorative or functional open-headed left arrows in buttons and labels.
Document and teach HTML entity usage for Arrows block symbols.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Prefer
⇽in HTML for readability - Use fonts that support the Arrows block (U+21FD)
- Set
<meta charset="utf-8"> - Pair ⇽ with context (navigation, diagrams) so meaning is clear
- Keep one encoding style per project for consistency
- Distinguish ⇽ from ← when open-headed vs standard arrow matters
Don’t
- Confuse
⇽(U+21FD, open-headed left) with←(U+2190, standard left arrow) - Confuse
⇽(U+21FD) with⇾(U+21FE, open-headed right) - Use CSS
\21FDinside HTML text nodes - Assume all fonts render arrow glyphs identically
- Mix named and numeric entities inconsistently in the same component
Key Takeaways
Four ways to render U+21FD in HTML and CSS
⇽ ⇽ ⇽For CSS, use \21FD in the content property
Unicode U+21FD — LEFTWARDS OPEN-HEADED ARROW
Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF) — named entity ⇽
Previous: Left Normal Factor Semidirect Product (⋉) Next: Left Paired Arrows
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
⇽ (named), ⇽ (hex), ⇽ (decimal), or \21FD in CSS content. All four methods render ⇽ correctly.U+21FD (LEFTWARDS OPEN-HEADED ARROW). Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF). Hex 21FD, decimal 8701. A left-pointing arrow with an open (unfilled) head.⇽, ⇽, ⇽) go in markup. The CSS escape \21FD is used in stylesheets, typically on ::before or ::after. Both produce ⇽.⇽ is the named HTML entity for U+21FD. You can also use ⇽ (decimal) or ⇽ (hex) and \21FD in CSS.Explore More HTML Entities!
Discover 1500+ HTML character references — arrows, symbols, math operators, and more.
About the author
8 people found this page helpful