up-left arrow Emoji
↖️ · U+2196 U+FE0F · Emoji 0.6
What does the up-left arrow emoji mean?
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. 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 on your device and in the openly licensed sets that include it (Twitter / X (Twemoji), Google Noto Color Emoji). See image credits.


up-left arrow Emoji Details
| Emoji | ↖️ |
| Name | up-left arrow |
| Category | Symbols |
| Codepoints | U+2196 U+FE0F |
| Shortcode | :arrow_upper_left: |
| Sources | Unicode emoji list · codepoints.net |
| Emoji version | 0.6 (2010) |
up-left arrow Emoji FAQ
It is U+2196 U+FE0F, added in Emoji 0.6 (2010). On GitHub, Slack and Discord you can type it as :arrow_upper_left:.
People also search for the up-left arrow emoji as arrow, direction, intercardinal, northwest, up-left.