The rightwards arrow → is the plain text arrow, not an emoji. Type 2192 then Alt+X in Word. It shows direction and sequence, marks a function mapping in mathematics, and stands for logical implication. Word also turns --> into it automatically.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (any app) | Win+. or Win+; emoji/symbol picker, or Character Map (Win+R → charmap) |
|
| Mac | Control+Command+Space to open Character Viewer, search "Rightwards Arrow" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 2192, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 2192, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | → · \2192 (CSS) |
02 Step by step, per platform
A real, followable procedure for every platform, not a thin restatement of the shortcut.
Windows
- Open Character Map: Win+R, type charmap, press Enter.
- Search or scroll for Rightwards Arrow (U+2192).
- Select it, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Rightwards Arrow" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 2192.
- Press Alt+X immediately after, it converts the hex code to →.
03 Characters in this set
04 Troubleshooting & confusables
| Looks like it | But it's actually | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ➡ (U+27A1) | Black rightwards arrow, usually shown as an emoji | Where a coloured arrow is wanted. It changes size and colour by platform. |
| ⇒ (U+21D2) | Rightwards double arrow | For logical implication, where the double stroke is the conventional form. |
| -> | Two ASCII characters | Standard in code, where the real arrow is not valid syntax. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the right arrow?
It is U+2192, decimal 8594. There is no Windows Alt code, so use 2192 with Alt+X in Word, or copy it.
Why does my arrow appear in colour?
You have the emoji arrow at U+27A1 rather than the text arrow at U+2192. The emoji one renders as a coloured graphic on most platforms.
What does → mean in mathematics?
It denotes a mapping, as in f: A → B for a function from A to B. It also marks a limit approaching a value, as in x → 0.
How do I stop Word turning --> into an arrow?
Turn off the symbol replacement under AutoCorrect Options, in the AutoFormat As You Type tab. Undoing once immediately after typing also reverts that instance.
What is the difference between → and ⇒?
The single arrow shows direction, sequence or a mapping. The double arrow at U+21D2 is reserved for logical implication, and mixing them is a real notational error in proofs.