How to type ↓ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+25.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 25 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The down arrow symbol ↓ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "down arrow". 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 "down arrow" 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 ;down 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 2193 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 2193 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(8595) returns the symbol.
How to type ↓ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "down arrow" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(8595).
↓ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ↓ |
| HTML decimal | ↓ |
| HTML hex | ↓ |
CSS content | "\2193" |
| JavaScript | "\u2193" |
| Python | "\u2193" |
| LaTeX | \downarrow |
| URL encoded | %E2%86%93 |
Because ↓ is a standard Unicode character (U+2193), 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 down arrow symbol is used
Common in text to show decreasing values, scrolling directions, or navigation cues, such as "Sales ↓ 12%" or "Scroll ↓ for more." It appears in menus, spreadsheets, and instructions. It's sometimes confused with the downwards arrow with tip stroke or double-line arrow symbols.
Frequently asked questions
What does the down arrow symbol mean in math or science? +
In math and science, ↓ often denotes a decrease, a downward force, or convergence toward a limit from above.
Is the down arrow used in chemistry? +
Yes, ↓ marks a precipitate forming in a chemical reaction, showing that a solid falls out of solution.
What is the Alt code for the down arrow symbol? +
The Alt code for ↓ is Alt+25. Hold Alt, type 25 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 "down arrow", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the down arrow 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. The numeric form ↓ works too. In CSS use content: "\2193" and in JavaScript use "\u2193".