HTML Entity for Up Harpoon Barb Left (↿)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Up Harpoon Barb Left (↿) in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, the named entity ↿, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+21BF (UPWARDS HARPOON WITH BARB LEFT TO BAR) in the Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF)—an upward-pointing harpoon with a barb on the left, widely used in mathematical notation and vector diagrams.
Render it with ↿, ↿, ↿, or CSS escape \21BF. Compare ↾ (U+21BE, up harpoon barb right) for the mirror variant with the barb on the right side.
⚡ Quick Reference — Up Harpoon Barb Left
U+21BFArrows block
↿Hexadecimal reference
↿Decimal reference
↿HTML5 named entity for U+21BF
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+21BF
Hex code ↿
HTML code ↿
Named entity ↿
CSS code \21BF
Official name UPWARDS HARPOON WITH BARB LEFT TO BAR
Related U+21BE = Up harpoon barb right; U+2191 = Up arrow (↑)
Block Arrows (U+2190–U+21FF)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing ↿ with hex, decimal, named entity, and CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point::after{
content: "\21BF";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Harpoon Up (hex): ↿</p>
<p>Harpoon Up (decimal): ↿</p>
<p>Harpoon Up (entity): ↿</p>
<p id="point">Harpoon Up (CSS): </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
U+21BF is widely supported in modern browsers when rendered with a font that includes Arrows:
👀 Live Preview
See the Up Harpoon Barb Left (↿) in mathematical and UI contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
↿ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 21BF to display the Up Harpoon Barb Left. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
↿ uses the decimal Unicode value 8639 to display the same character.
Named HTML Entity
↿ is the HTML5 named entity for U+21BF. It is easy to read in source and resolves to ↿.
CSS Entity
\21BF is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.
Same visual result
All four methods produce: ↿. Unicode U+21BF in the Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF). The left barb harpoon design is standard in mathematical vector notation.
Use Cases
The Up Harpoon Barb Left (↿) is commonly used in:
Equations, limits, and vector operations using harpoon arrow symbols.
Physics and engineering diagrams showing upward vector direction.
Specialized controls needing harpoon-style upward indicators.
Icon sets with harpoon upward arrows for technical applications.
Scientific papers and manuals referencing harpoon directional notation.
Research documents and academic materials using harpoon symbols.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
↿for readable markup, or↿/↿ - Add
aria-labelwhen the harpoon conveys mathematical or navigation meaning - Use harpoon symbols in proper mathematical or vector contexts
- Use
\21BFin CSS::before/::afterfor icon buttons - Serve pages with UTF-8 (
<meta charset="utf-8">)
Don’t
- Use U+021BF or CSS
\021BF—the correct value is U+21BF and\21BF - Confuse ↿ (barb left) with ↾ (barb right, U+21BE)
- Put CSS escape
\21BFin HTML text nodes - Rely on the symbol alone without context in accessibility-critical UIs
- Assume all decorative fonts include extended Arrows glyphs
Key Takeaways
Named entity available: ↿
↿ ↿For CSS stylesheets, use \21BF in content
Unicode U+21BF — UPWARDS HARPOON WITH BARB LEFT TO BAR
Standard up arrow: ↑ via ↑ (U+2191)
Four methods, one glyph — widely supported in modern browsers
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
↿ (hex), ↿ (decimal), ↿ (named entity), or \21BF in CSS content. All produce ↿.U+21BF (UPWARDS HARPOON WITH BARB LEFT TO BAR). Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF). Hex 21BF, decimal 8639.↿ is easier to read in source than ↿ or ↿, but all produce ↿.↿. It is part of the HTML5 named entity set, making it convenient to use instead of numeric hex or decimal references.Explore More HTML Entities!
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