HTML Entity for Right Open Headed Arrow (⇾)

Beginner

5 min read

Updated: Sep 2026

1 example

Unicode U+21FE

HTML Entity for Right Open Headed Arrow (U+21FE) tutorial illustration

Definition

What Is the Right Open Headed Arrow Entity?

Right Open Headed Arrow (⇾) is the Arrows-block character at Unicode U+21FE (RIGHTWARDS OPEN-HEADED ARROW). It is a right-pointing arrow with an open (unfilled) head — useful in navigation and diagrams.

Remember

Character     ⇾
Unicode       U+21FE
Hex entity    &#x21FE;
Decimal       &#8702;
Named entity  &roarr;
CSS escape    \21FE
Not the same  &rarr; (→) · &loarr; (⇽) · &rArr; (⇒)

All of these produce the same glyph: ⇾. Prefer &roarr; when you want an explicit entity (easy to mix up with → / &loarr;).

Reference

Quick Reference

One table for every form you will actually use.

Form	Code	Where it goes
Named entity	`&roarr;`	HTML markup (best entity default)
Hex entity	`⇾`	HTML markup
Decimal entity	`⇾`	HTML markup
CSS escape	`\21FE`	Stylesheet `content`
Direct character	`⇾`	UTF-8 HTML text

When to Use Which

Situation	Use
Readable HTML entity source	`&roarr;`
Need a numeric entity	`⇾` or `⇾`
Generated text via `::before` / `::after`	`content: "\21FE"`
Standard filled right arrow	Use → (U+2192)
Left open-headed arrow	Use &loarr; (U+21FD)

See it

Live Preview

Right Open Headed Arrow in common navigation and diagram contexts.

Navigation Next page ⇾

Large glyph ⇾

Named entity &roarr; → ⇾

vs → / &loarr; ⇾ | → | ⇽

With entities Hex: ⇾ | Decimal: ⇾ | Named: ⇾

Code

Complete HTML Example

One page that shows this symbol with hex, decimal, named, and CSS. Use View Output or open the live editor.

Hex + Decimal + Named + CSS

All four ways to produce ⇾ in a single document.

html

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>Right Open Headed Arrow (⇾)</title>
  <style>
    #point::after {
      content: "\21FE";
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <p>Using Hex Code: &#x21FE;</p>
  <p>Using HTML Code: &#8702;</p>
  <p>Using Named Entity: &roarr;</p>
  <p id="point">Using CSS Entity: </p>
  <p><code>Next &roarr;</code></p>
</body>
</html>

Try It Yourself

How It Works

1. Hex: U+21FE → ⇾ in HTML. The browser turns it into ⇾.

2. Decimal: same code point as 8702 → ⇾. Same result as hex.

3. Named: &roarr; is the HTML5 name for this character.

4. CSS: use \21FE in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ⇾ after the paragraph text.

Pitfalls & Tips

Common mistakes when working with Right Open Headed Arrow.

Look-alikes

⇾ ≠ → ≠ ⇽

&roarr; (open-headed right), → (standard right), and &loarr; (open-headed left) are different characters.

Name

`&roarr;` ≠ `→` ≠ `&loarr;`

Use the exact spelling &roarr;. Nearby names map to different Unicode points.

Fonts

Glyph may be missing

Arrows-block coverage varies. Test on your target devices or provide a fallback font.

CSS vs HTML

Do not mix escapes

\21FE belongs in CSS. &roarr; / ⇾ / ⇾ belong in HTML.

A11y

Add nearby words

Pair the glyph with text like Next or use aria-label when it stands alone.

Semicolon

End references

Always finish with ; — write &roarr;, not &roarr.

Compatibility

Browser Support

Right Open Headed Arrow (U+21FE) and its entity forms (&roarr;, ⇾, ⇾, CSS \\21FE) are supported in all modern browsers. Glyph coverage depends on the font.

✓ Universal encoding

Right Open Headed Arrow (&roarr;)

Encode with named, hex, decimal, or CSS escape — or type ⇾ directly in UTF-8 HTML.

100% Browser coverage

Google Chrome Supported

Yes

Microsoft Edge Supported

Yes

Mozilla Firefox Supported

Yes

Apple Safari Supported

Yes

Opera Supported

Yes

Internet Explorer IE 9+

Yes*

U+21FE / &roarr; Full support

Bottom line: Prefer &roarr; for readable HTML. Use \\21FE only inside CSS content.

Remember

Key Takeaways

Unicode: this symbol is U+21FE (decimal 8702).
HTML: prefer &roarr; — or use ⇾ / ⇾.
CSS: use \21FE inside content for generated text.
Watch out: &roarr; ≠ → ≠ &loarr;.

One line: U+21FE → &roarr; / ⇾ / ⇾ / CSS \21FE.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I display Right Open Headed Arrow (⇾) in HTML using entities?

Use &roarr; (named), ⇾ (hex), ⇾ (decimal), or the CSS escape \21FE in the content property. You can also type ⇾ directly in UTF-8 HTML.

What is the Unicode value for Right Open Headed Arrow?

U+21FE (RIGHTWARDS OPEN-HEADED ARROW). Hex 21FE, decimal 8702. It belongs to the Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF).

Is there a named HTML entity for U+21FE?

Yes. &roarr; is the HTML5 named entity. You can also use ⇾ or ⇾. Do not confuse &roarr; with → (standard right arrow) or &loarr; (left open-headed).

When should I use this HTML entity?

Use it in navigation labels, flow diagrams, and directional UI text when you want a rightwards arrow with an open (unfilled) head. Prefer &roarr; for readable HTML.

What is the difference between HTML code and CSS entity for U+21FE?

HTML entities (&roarr;, ⇾, or ⇾) go in markup. The CSS escape \21FE is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render ⇾.

How is &roarr; different from → or &loarr;?

→ (U+2192) is the standard right arrow. &loarr; (U+21FD) is the left open-headed arrow. &roarr; (U+21FE) is the right open-headed form.

Did you know?

Right Open Headed Arrow is Unicode U+21FE (decimal 8702) — RIGHTWARDS OPEN-HEADED ARROW. HTML5 provides &roarr;. Prefer it for readable source. Do not confuse it with → (U+2192, standard right arrow) or &loarr; (U+21FD, left open-headed arrow).

Next: Right Paired Arrows

Learn the HTML entity for Right Paired Arrows — next in this sequence.

Continue tutorial →

About the author

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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