How to type ↕ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+18.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 18 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The up down arrow symbol ↕ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "up down arrow". 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 "up down arrow" 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 ;up 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 2195 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 2195 in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(8597) returns the symbol.
How to type ↕ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "up down arrow" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(8597).
↕ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ↕ |
| HTML decimal | ↕ |
| HTML hex | ↕ |
CSS content | "\2195" |
| JavaScript | "\u2195" |
| Python | "\u2195" |
| LaTeX | \updownarrow |
| URL encoded | %E2%86%95 |
Because ↕ is a standard Unicode character (U+2195), 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 up down arrow symbol is used
It marks resizable panels, sortable table columns, or scroll indicators in interfaces, such as "Price ↕" beside a sortable header. It's also used to show volume or elevator controls. Don't confuse it with the double-line vertical bar (‖) or the plain up arrow (↑).
Frequently asked questions
What does ↕ mean in a table or spreadsheet? +
It usually signals that a column can be sorted in ascending or descending order by clicking its header.
What does ↕ mean in texting or chat? +
It often represents indecision, back-and-forth feelings, or something changing direction, like mood swings or fluctuating plans.
What is the Alt code for the up down arrow symbol? +
The Alt code for ↕ is Alt+18. Hold Alt, type 18 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 "up down arrow", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the up down arrow 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. The numeric form ↕ works too. In CSS use content: "\2195" and in JavaScript use "\u2195".