How to type ▼ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+31.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 31 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The black down-pointing triangle symbol ▼ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "black down-pointing triangle". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ▼, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ▼ on a Mac
There is no direct keyboard shortcut for ▼ on a Mac.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "black down-pointing triangle" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type ▼ on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include ▼, so the reliable way is to copy it from this page, then press and hold in any text field and tap Paste.
If you use it often, create a shortcut: open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste ▼ in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;black in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert ▼ anywhere.
How to type ▼ on Android
Copy the symbol from this page, then long-press in a text field and choose Paste. Gboard also keeps a clipboard history: tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar to paste it again later.
For a permanent shortcut, open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add ▼ as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type ▼ in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 25BC where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into ▼.
This works on Windows in Word, Outlook and OneNote and needs no numeric keypad. You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the font to a Unicode font and type 25BC in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9660) returns the symbol.
How to type ▼ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "black down-pointing triangle" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9660).
▼ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ▼ |
| HTML decimal | ▼ |
| HTML hex | ▼ |
CSS content | "\25BC" |
| JavaScript | "\u25BC" |
| Python | "\u25BC" |
| LaTeX | \blacktriangledown |
| URL encoded | %E2%96%BC |
Because ▼ is a standard Unicode character (U+25BC), you can also paste it directly into any UTF-8 file. The escaped forms above are only needed when the file encoding is uncertain or the symbol must be entered on a keyboard without it.
Where the black down-pointing triangle symbol is used
Common in UI design for dropdown menus, expandable lists, and sort indicators, such as "Sort by Price ▼" or "More Options ▼". It can be confused with the smaller ▾ (down-pointing small triangle) or the ▽ outline version, which signals a lower emphasis or unselected state.
Frequently asked questions
What does the ▼ symbol mean in a menu? +
It usually signals that clicking will reveal a dropdown list or expand hidden content below the current item.
Is ▼ the same as a down arrow? +
No, ▼ is a solid triangle shape, while a down arrow (↓) has a distinct arrowhead and line; they serve similar but not identical visual purposes.
What is the Alt code for the black down-pointing triangle symbol? +
The Alt code for ▼ is Alt+31. Hold Alt, type 31 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ▼ on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for ▼. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "black down-pointing triangle", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the black down-pointing triangle symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include ▼ by default. Copy it from this page and paste it, or add it as a text replacement shortcut in Settings so you can type it with a short abbreviation.
What is the HTML code for ▼? +
Use ▼ in HTML. In CSS use content: "\25BC" and in JavaScript use "\u25BC".