How to type ↔ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+29.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 29 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The left right arrow symbol ↔ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "left right 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 "left right 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 ;left 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 2194 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 2194 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(8596) returns the symbol.
How to type ↔ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "left right arrow" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(8596).
↔ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ↔ |
| HTML decimal | ↔ |
| HTML hex | ↔ |
CSS content | "\2194" |
| JavaScript | "\u2194" |
| Python | "\u2194" |
| LaTeX | \leftrightarrow |
| URL encoded | %E2%86%94 |
Because ↔ is a standard Unicode character (U+2194), 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 left right arrow symbol is used
Used in math and logic to show equivalence or biconditional statements, such as "A ↔ B" meaning A if and only if B. Also common in diagrams to indicate bidirectional flow or mutual relationships, like "City A ↔ City B" for travel routes. Not to be confused with the similar-looking ⇔ double arrow, which often denotes logical implication in a stricter sense.
Frequently asked questions
What does ↔ mean in math? +
In math and logic, ↔ usually represents a biconditional, meaning both sides of the statement imply each other and are equivalent.
What is the difference between ↔ and ⇔? +
↔ is a single-line arrow often used informally, while ⇔ is a double-line arrow more common in formal logic to denote strict equivalence.
What is the Alt code for the left right arrow symbol? +
The Alt code for ↔ is Alt+29. Hold Alt, type 29 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 "left right arrow", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the left right 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: "\2194" and in JavaScript use "\u2194".