How to type ► on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+16.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 16 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The black right-pointing pointer symbol ► appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "black right-pointing pointer". 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 "black right-pointing pointer" 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 ;black 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 25BA 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 25BA in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9658) returns the symbol.
How to type ► in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "black right-pointing pointer" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9658).
► in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ► |
| HTML decimal | ► |
| HTML hex | ► |
CSS content | "\25BA" |
| JavaScript | "\u25BA" |
| Python | "\u25BA" |
| URL encoded | %E2%96%BA |
Because ► is a standard Unicode character (U+25BA), 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 black right-pointing pointer symbol is used
Common in menus and playlists to mark a play action, like "► Play track 3", or as a bullet substitute pointing to an item, like "► See details below". Often confused with the smaller ▶ (Black Right-Pointing Triangle) used more often as a media play icon.
Frequently asked questions
What does ► mean in a list or menu? +
It usually signals direction or emphasis, pointing the reader toward the next item, action, or piece of text.
Is ► the same as the play button icon? +
It's similar but not identical to standard play button glyphs like ▶; ► is a wider pointer shape sometimes used interchangeably in casual text.
What is the Alt code for the black right-pointing pointer symbol? +
The Alt code for ► is Alt+16. Hold Alt, type 16 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 "black right-pointing pointer", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the black right-pointing pointer 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. In CSS use content: "\25BA" and in JavaScript use "\u25BA".