HTML Entity for Up Dashed Arrow (⇡)

Beginner

5 min read

Updated: Sep 2026

1 example

Unicode U+21E1

HTML Entity for Up Dashed Arrow (U+21E1) tutorial illustration

Definition

What Is the Up Dashed Arrow Entity?

Up Dashed Arrow (⇡) is the Unicode character at U+21E1 (UPWARDS DASHED ARROW) in the Arrows block. It is an upward-pointing arrow with a dashed shaft — useful for softer navigation cues in UI and documentation.

Remember

Character     ⇡
Unicode       U+21E1
Hex entity    &#x21E1;
Decimal       &#8673;
CSS escape    \21E1
Named entity  (none)

All of these produce the same glyph: ⇡. For a solid everyday up arrow, prefer ↑ (U+2191).

Reference

Quick Reference

One table for every form you will actually use.

Form	Code	Where it goes
Direct character	`⇡`	HTML text (UTF-8)
Hex entity	`⇡`	HTML markup
Decimal entity	`⇡`	HTML markup
CSS escape	`\21E1`	Stylesheet `content`
Named entity	—	Not defined in HTML5

When to Use Which

Situation	Use
Need the dashed up arrow	Type the character, or `⇡` / `⇡`
Generated text via `::before` / `::after`	`content: "\21E1"`
Solid everyday up arrow	Use `↑` (U+2191)
Double-line up arrow	Use `&uArr;` (U+21D1)
Looking for a named entity	None for U+21E1 — use numeric form

See it

Live Preview

This dashed arrow in common UI contexts.

Label Top ⇡

Large glyph ⇡

Compared ⇡ dashed ↑ solid ⇑ double

Hint Move up ⇡

With entities Hex: ⇡ | Decimal: ⇡

Code

Complete HTML Example

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

Hex + Decimal + CSS + Typed

All four ways to produce ⇡ in a single document (plus a short label).

html

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>Up Dashed Arrow</title>
  <style>
    #point::after {
      content: "\21E1";
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <p>Using Hex Code: &#x21E1;</p>
  <p>Using HTML Code: &#8673;</p>
  <p id="point">Using CSS Entity: </p>
  <p>Typed directly: &#x21E1;</p>
  <p>Top &#x21E1;</p>
</body>
</html>

Try It Yourself

How It Works

1. Hex: U+21E1 → ⇡ in HTML. The browser turns it into the glyph.

2. Decimal: same code point as 8673 → ⇡. Same result as hex.

3. CSS: use \21E1 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that glyph after the paragraph text.

4. Typed / label: fine in UTF-8 pages. The Top ⇡ line shows a common UI pattern.

Pitfalls & Tips

Common mistakes when working with this arrow.

Named?

No named entity

HTML5 does not define a named entity for U+21E1. Use numeric forms. ↑ is the solid arrow, not this one.

Look-alikes

Dashed ≠ solid ≠ double

U+21E1 is dashed. U+2191 (↑) is solid. U+21D1 (&uArr;) is double-line.

CSS vs HTML

Do not mix escapes

\21E1 belongs in CSS. ⇡ / ⇡ belong in HTML.

Fonts

Check the glyph

Dashed-arrow coverage varies by font. If the mark is missing or looks solid, describe the action in nearby text.

A11y

Do not rely on the icon alone

Screen readers may not name this arrow clearly. Keep labels like “Back to top” next to the glyph.

Semicolon

End references

Always finish with ; — write ⇡, not &#8673.

Compatibility

Browser Support

Up Dashed Arrow (U+21E1) and its numeric entity forms (⇡, ⇡, CSS \\21E1) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Glyph shape depends on the font.

✓ Universal support

Up Dashed Arrow

Encode with hex, decimal, or CSS escape — or paste the character 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 All versions

Yes

U+21E1 / entities Full support

Bottom line: Use ⇡ or ⇡ for the Unicode glyph, and \\21E1 only inside CSS content. Prefer ↑ for strong everyday up cues.

Remember

Key Takeaways

Unicode: this symbol is U+21E1 (decimal 8673).
HTML: use ⇡ or ⇡ when you need an entity.
CSS: use \21E1 inside content for generated text.
Watch out: dashed U+21E1 ≠ solid ↑ (U+2191).

One line: U+21E1 → ⇡ / ⇡ / CSS \21E1.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I display Up Dashed Arrow in HTML?

Use ⇡ (hex), ⇡ (decimal), or the CSS escape \21E1 in the content property. All render U+21E1. You can also paste the character directly when your file is UTF-8.

What is the Unicode value for Up Dashed Arrow?

U+21E1 (hex 21E1, decimal 8673). Unicode names it UPWARDS DASHED ARROW. It belongs to the Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF).

Is there a named HTML entity for U+21E1?

No. HTML5 does not define a named entity for this character. Use numeric references like ⇡ or ⇡. For a solid up arrow, use ↑ (U+2191).

How is U+21E1 different from ↑?

U+21E1 is an upwards arrow with a dashed shaft. ↑ (U+2191) is the common solid up arrow. They are different code points and look different.

What is the difference between HTML code and CSS entity for U+21E1?

HTML entities (⇡ or ⇡) go in markup. The CSS escape \21E1 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render the same glyph.

When should I use this symbol?

Use it when you want a softer upward cue (hints, optional scroll-to-top, secondary UI). Prefer ↑ for strong, everyday navigation. Always pair the glyph with clear labels for accessibility.

Did you know?

This arrow is Unicode U+21E1 (decimal 8673) — official name UPWARDS DASHED ARROW in the Arrows block. HTML5 has no named entity. The dashed shaft softens emphasis compared with solid ↑ (U+2191).

Next: Up Double Arrow

Learn the HTML entity for Up Double Arrow — 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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