Downwards Zigzag Arrow ↯

↯ (U+21AF) 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 Zigzag 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: DOWNWARDS ZIGZAG ARROW (U+21AF) is a symbol in the Arrows block of Unicode. It belongs to the Common script and appears in many fonts and interfaces. In practice, it is used to convey a sense of movement along a path that changes direction. The design combines a zigzag with a downward orientation to suggest a turn or a shift in flow. This makes it useful in diagrams that show steps, routes, or processes that diverge and then continue downward. The character is often shown in menus, guides, and forms where a user should move to the next or alternate section below. In text, it can mark a break or a transition point without adding extra words. In user interfaces, it helps readers scan content by indicating a path to follow or a sequence to complete. Designers choose it for clarity when a simple arrow would not capture a change in direction. The symbol remains a clear visual cue across languages and platforms, aiding navigation and comprehension in dense documents and layouts.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+21AF 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.