Downwards Zigzag Arrow
U+21AFArrows
Also known as lightning arrowzigzag arrow
Copy and paste ↯. The Downwards Zigzag Arrow character has Unicode code point U+21AF and decimal HTML code ↯.
Symbol codes
- Unicode
U+21AF- HTML Code
↯- CSS Code
\21AF- HEX Code
↯
Technical properties
Unicode 18.0.0
- Code point
- U+21AF
- Decimal
- 8623
- Unicode name
- DOWNWARDS ZIGZAG ARROW
- Block
- Arrows · U+2190–U+21FF
- General category
- Other Symbol (So)
- Script
- Common
- Introduced
- Unicode 1.1
- JavaScript
- "\u21AF"
Appears in
About Downwards Zigzag Arrow
↯ is encoded in Unicode as code point U+21AF (decimal 8623). Its official Unicode name is DOWNWARDS ZIGZAG ARROW.
It belongs to the Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF), its General Category is Other Symbol (So), and it was added in Unicode 1.1, released in 1993. Its script value is Common: it is shared across writing systems rather than belonging to one.
Sources: Unicode Character Database 18.0.0.
How to type or insert Downwards Zigzag Arrow
- Any device
- Select Copy symbol, then paste with Ctrl+V, or ⌘+V on a Mac.
- Microsoft Word
- Type
21AF, then press Alt+X. - macOS Character Viewer
- Press Control+⌘+Space and search for “downwards zigzag arrow”.
- Linux (GTK and IBus)
- Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type
21af, then press Space. - HTML
↯. In a UTF-8 page you can also paste the character itself.- CSS
content: "\21AF";in a::beforeor::afterrule.- JavaScript
"\u21AF"
Common questions about Downwards Zigzag Arrow
What is the Downwards Zigzag Arrow symbol?
↯ (Downwards Zigzag Arrow) is a symbol in Unicode’s Arrows block. Its code point is U+21AF, and it has been part of the standard since Unicode 1.1 (1993). It is also known as lightning arrow and zigzag arrow.
How do I copy and paste the Downwards Zigzag Arrow symbol?
Select Copy symbol at the top of this page, then paste with Ctrl+V on Windows and Linux or ⌘+V on a Mac. On a phone, tap Copy symbol, then touch and hold where you want it and choose Paste. ↯ pastes as ordinary text, so it works in documents, messages, and code.
How do I type the Downwards Zigzag Arrow symbol on Windows?
In Microsoft Word, type 21AF and press Alt+X to turn the code into ↯. In any app, open Character Map from the Start menu, search for “downwards zigzag arrow”, then select and copy the character.
How do I type the Downwards Zigzag Arrow symbol on a Mac?
Press Control+⌘+Space to open the Character Viewer, search for “downwards zigzag arrow”, and double-click the result to insert it.
How do I type the Downwards Zigzag Arrow symbol on an iPhone or Android phone?
The simplest way is to copy it from this page and paste it where you need it. If you use it often, save it as a text shortcut: on iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement; with Gboard on Android, go to Gboard settings > Dictionary > Personal dictionary.
Can I use the Downwards Zigzag Arrow symbol in Word, Google Docs, and social media?
Yes. ↯ is a standard Unicode character, so you can paste it into Microsoft Word, Google Docs, emails, and posts or bios on Instagram, X, Facebook, and TikTok. In Google Docs you can also choose Insert > Special characters and search for “downwards zigzag arrow”. In Word, choose Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, set from to Unicode (hex), and enter 21AF as the character code.
Is the Downwards Zigzag Arrow symbol an emoji?
No. ↯ is a text symbol, not an emoji. It takes the color and size of the surrounding text, and its exact shape depends on the font.
Why does the Downwards Zigzag Arrow symbol show as a box or question mark?
An empty box or a question mark means the font on that device has no glyph for ↯. The character is still there: it appears correctly wherever a font covers Unicode’s Arrows block, and free font families such as Google Noto cover nearly all of Unicode.
What are the HTML and CSS codes for the Downwards Zigzag Arrow symbol?
In HTML, write ↯ (decimal) or ↯ (hexadecimal). In CSS, use content: "\21AF"; in a ::before or ::after rule, and in JavaScript "\u21AF". See all HTML codes.