up-left arrow Emoji
↖️ · U+2196 U+FE0F · Emoji 0.6
What does the up-left arrow emoji mean?
Meaning reviewed and updated July 2026 · Unicode data from the official Unicode Standard
Literally, the up-left arrow emoji indicates direction or movement towards the upper left, often used in digital interfaces, maps, or instructions. Figuratively, it can represent going back or navigating to a previous step, and in slang, it may signify a return to a previous topic or a reversal of plans. Its meaning can also be extended to suggest a combination of upward and leftward movements, such as in gaming or virtual navigation. In a broader sense, the up-left arrow emoji can symbolize a change in direction or a shift in focus.
How the up-left arrow emoji is used
Texting and online messaging platforms are primary venues where the up-left arrow emoji is used, particularly in conversations involving digital navigation, gaming, or spatial directions. Tone-wise, the emoji tends to be neutral and instructional, although it can be used in a humorous or ironic manner to convey a sense of going back or reversing course. On platforms like TikTok and in social media comments, the up-left arrow emoji may be used to add a touch of playfulness or whimsy to directions or instructions. Its usage is not limited to specific generations, as it can be used by anyone familiar with digital interfaces and navigation.
up-left arrow emoji examples
- hey, go up-left from the main menu to access settings
- changed my mind, let's go ↖️ and try a different route
How to copy the up-left arrow emoji
To use the up-left arrow emoji, tap the Copy button above, then paste it (long-press then Paste on mobile, or Ctrl+V / Cmd+V on desktop) anywhere you can type: messages, captions, usernames, bios and documents. It copies the real Unicode character (U+2196 U+FE0F), so it works on every app and platform, no download needed.
Also known as
up-left arrow emoji on different platforms
How the up-left arrow emoji looks across emoji sets. These designs come from openly-licensed sets (Twemoji, Google Noto, OpenMoji). See image credits.



up-left arrow Emoji Details
| Emoji | ↖️ |
| Name | up-left arrow |
| Category | Symbols |
| Codepoints | U+2196 U+FE0F |
| Shortcode | :up_left_arrow: |
| Emoji version | 0.6 |
| Unicode version | 0.6 |
up-left arrow Emoji FAQ
Literally, the up-left arrow emoji indicates direction or movement towards the upper left, often used in digital interfaces, maps, or instructions. Figuratively, it can represent going back or navigating to a previous step, and in slang, it may signify a return to a previous topic or a reversal of plans.
Tap the Copy button at the top of this page, then paste ↖️ wherever you type. Because it copies the real Unicode character, it works in every app on iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac.
It is U+2196 U+FE0F, introduced in Emoji version 0.6 (Unicode 0.6). Its shortcode is :up_left_arrow:.
People also search for the up-left arrow emoji as arrow, direction, intercardinal, northwest, up-left.