Long Leftwards Double Arrow ⟸

⟸ (U+27F8) 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: Long Leftwards Double Arrow is part of the Symbols family (block: Supplemental Arrows-A). 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 LONG LEFTWARDS DOUBLE ARROW (code point U+27F8) is in the Supplemental Arrows-A block. It appears in lists, diagrams, and user interfaces to show a strong leftward direction. Historically, arrows with double heads were used to indicate a more decisive or reinforced move than a single arrow. The symbol communicates navigation and data flow in maps, flowcharts, and documentation, and it guides readers to follow a path or sequence. In many software interfaces, it helps indicate backward steps, return actions, or a move to a previous item. In digital text, designers reserve it for cases where a standard single arrow may not be strong enough. The usage atom notes that arrows indicate direction and navigation cues in interfaces and documents. The symbol is part of the Common script region and is treated as a generic directional mark across contexts. It remains a clear, compact mark for pointing to the left in complex layouts and diagrams.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+27F8 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.