Downwards Arrow ↓

↓ (U+2193) is a standard Unicode character that you can copy and paste anywhere text is accepted. This page provides a concise reference with safe tips, internal links, and practical guidance so you can use it reliably across apps and platforms.

What it is and where it’s used: Downwards Arrow is part of the Symbols family (block: Arrows). If you need styled or decorative alternatives, try our Fancy Text tool to generate compatible text that works in most modern interfaces.

History & usage: The DOWNWARDS ARROW is a symbol used in writing and interfaces to show movement toward the bottom or a lower option. It has the code point U+2193 in the Unicode standard and is part of the Arrows block. In many documents, menus, and forms, the arrow guides readers to the next step, deeper content, or a collapse of a list. It appears in buttons, links, and instructional text to indicate a downward action. Historically, arrows like this helped people skim layouts and follow flows without reading every word. In digital design, it signals scrolling, expansion, or a drop direction for content and controls. The symbol stays simple and recognizably directional across fonts and devices, which makes it useful for international audiences. Users expect the arrow to suggest a move, a reveal, or a lower option, and it often pairs with other controls to form a clear path. Overall, the DOWNWARDS ARROW serves as a compact cue for navigation and content hierarchy in modern interfaces and documents.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+2193 in many development tools or editors. Some operating systems provide a character viewer or input palette that lets you search by name or code and insert the glyph into documents.

Display and fallback: if you see an empty box (tofu) or a placeholder rectangle, the active font might not include this codepoint. Switching to a font with broader Unicode coverage or using a fallback font usually fixes the issue. On the web, ensure the page’s font stack includes a general‑purpose fallback.

Related references: browse the Categories for similar characters. When choosing a symbol, prefer the official codepoint for semantic clarity and better compatibility with search, copy, and accessibility tooling.

See our category page for related symbols.