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Rounding up the emojis…
⬅️
⬅️ Left Arrow Emoji — Meaning & Usage
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Description
Here comes the leftward arrow meaning "go back" or "previous" — the emoji version of hitting the back button. People use it to reference something said earlier in a conversation, point to a previous post, or give directional instructions. In right-to-left languages, this one actually means "forward," which is a fun localization headache.
When to Use
Use for going back, previous items, or leftward direction.
Example Usage
- “Go back ⬅️”
- “Previous page ⬅️”
- “Turn left ⬅️”
Popular Combinations
⬅️📖
Previous page
⬅️🚗
Turn left
⬅️🏠
Go back home
How Left Arrow looks across platforms
Open-source emoji designs. Each project maintains its own visual style — colors, shapes, and details may differ from what you see on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ⬅️ mean in a text message?▼
Here comes the leftward arrow meaning "go back" or "previous" — the emoji version of hitting the back button. People use it to reference something said earlier in a conversation, point to a previous post, or give directional instructions. In right-to-left languages, this one actually means "forward," which is a fun localization headache. Use for going back, previous items, or leftward direction. The tone can shift depending on context — a message to a friend reads differently than one to a coworker.
What is the official Unicode name for ⬅️?▼
Each emoji has an official name assigned by the Unicode Consortium, which may differ from common names used in apps. The Left Arrow emoji's official designation is listed in the Unicode CLDR (Common Locale Data Repository). Shortcode names like those on Slack or Discord are platform-specific.
Can screen readers interpret ⬅️?▼
Yes. Screen readers announce emoji by their Unicode name, so ⬅️ would be read aloud as "Left Arrow." When using multiple emoji in a row, screen readers read each one individually, which can be overwhelming — so use them sparingly in accessible content.
What is the shortcode for ⬅️?▼
On platforms like Slack and Discord, you can type `:arrow_left:` to insert the Left Arrow emoji. On GitHub, the same shortcodes work in issues and comments.
Unicode
U+2b05-fe0f
Category
Symbols
Added
Unicode 1.0
Shortcodes
:arrow_left:Keywords
bluesquarepreviousback
When to Use ⬅️ Left Arrow
Use for going back, previous items, or leftward direction.
- •Send ⬅️ when you want to express or reference "left arrow" in a message — it instantly conveys the meaning without extra words
- •Use ⬅️ in conversations about blue or square to add visual emphasis and make your point clearer
- •React with ⬅️ Left Arrow on social media posts, stories, or comments related to left arrow
- •Combine ⬅️ with related emoji in captions or bios — works well when talking about blue, square, previous
⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts
Open your system emoji picker to type any emoji directly:
🪟
Windows
Win + .🍎
Mac
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