SymbolHub

Pointing Finger Symbol (☞)

The pointing finger symbol ☞ is Unicode U+261E, the classic right-pointing index finger known historically as a manicule. Press Copy to put it on your clipboard.

Unicode
U+261E
HTML
☞
Word
261E Alt+X

How to type the pointing finger symbol (☞)

The quickest way is to press Copy above and paste. To type ☞ yourself, use the method for your device below.

Windows

  1. In Word or Outlook, type 261E and press Alt + X. Alt + X converts the hex code before the cursor into the character, and back again.
  2. Press Win + R, type charmap and press Enter. Tick “Advanced view”, search for White Right Pointing Index, then Select and Copy. Character Map is built into every version of Windows.

Mac

  1. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search for pointing index and double-click it.
  2. With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 261E.

Linux & ChromeOS

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 261e, then press Enter or Space. Works in GTK and IBus apps (GNOME, Firefox, Chrome, LibreOffice) and on ChromeOS.

iPhone & iPad

  1. Open the emoji keyboard and search for “pointing index” to insert 👉, the colour emoji. For the plain text ☞, copy it from this page.
  2. Copy ☞ from this page, then go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement and add it with a shortcut such as ;poin. The shortcut then turns into the symbol as you type, in every app.

Android

  1. In Gboard, tap the emoji key and search for “pointing index” to insert 👉. For the plain text ☞, copy it from this page.
  2. Copy ☞ here, then open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary and add it with a shortcut.

Microsoft Word

  1. Type 261E, then press Alt + X.
  2. Insert → Symbol → More Symbols. Set “from” to Unicode (hex), type 261E in “Character code” and click Insert.

Google Docs

  1. Insert → Special characters, then search for “pointing index” or draw it in the box.

Excel & Google Sheets

  1. Enter =UNICHAR(9758) in a cell. It works in Excel 2013 and later and in Google Sheets.

HTML

  1. Write ☞ or ☞ in your HTML.

What does ☞ mean?

The pointing finger symbol ☞ (Unicode name WHITE RIGHT POINTING INDEX) shows the back of a right hand with the index finger extended horizontally to the right. In typography and book history, this mark is famously known as a manicule, derived from the Latin manicula (little hand). Other historic names include the printer’s fist, mutton-fist, or simply the index.

Beginning in medieval Latin manuscripts of the 12th century, scribes and scholars drew manicules in the margins to flag important passages, corrections, or notable quotes. With the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, type founders cast metal manicules to guide readers toward key instructions, caveats, and footnotes. Today, ☞ is widely used on vintage signage, storefront directions, instruction manuals, and creative text layouts to direct a reader’s eye with classic charm.

Common uses

  • Highlighting critical notes: ☞ Note: Registration closes at midnight
  • Wayfinding and physical signage indicating direction: ☞ Entrance
  • Editorial bullet points in vintage publications and zines
  • Directing attention to links or key takeaways in newsletters

Pointing Finger Symbol codes for HTML, CSS and programming

Every code below produces ☞. Use the HTML entity in web pages, the CSS escape in content, and the escape sequence in source code.

Unicode code pointU+261E
HTML decimal☞
HTML hex☞
CSS contentcontent: "\261E";
JavaScript"\u261E"
Python"\u261E"
Python (by name)"\N{WHITE RIGHT POINTING INDEX}"
Java / C#"\u261E"
UTF-8 bytesE2 98 9E
UTF-16261E
URL encoded%E2%98%9E

☞ vs look-alike characters

These characters look similar to ☞ but have a different meaning and code. Pasting the wrong one can break search, sorting and screen readers.

CharNameWhen to use it
Right Pointing Index
U+261B		Black right pointing index (U+261B), the solid filled counterpart.
White Left Pointing Index
U+261C		White left pointing index (U+261C), pointing in the opposite direction.
White Right Pointing Backhand Index
U+1F449		Backhand index pointing right emoji, depicted in full color on phones.

Symbols similar to ☞

Click to copy, or open a symbol for its codes. See the full hand symbols collection.

  • Details
  • Details

☞ character properties

Official Unicode name
WHITE RIGHT POINTING INDEX
Also known as
white right pointing index, manicule, printer’s fist, pointing hand
Code point
U+261E
Unicode block
Miscellaneous Symbols (U+2600–U+26FF)
General category
Other symbol (So)
Added in
Unicode 1.1 (1993)
Plane
Basic Multilingual Plane (0)
Emoji
No, it is a text symbol

Frequently asked questions

What is a manicule?

A manicule is a typographic mark shaped like a pointing hand with an extended index finger, used since the Middle Ages to draw attention to important text.

How do I type ☞ in Microsoft Word?

Type 261E and then press Alt + X. Word instantly converts the hex code into the pointing finger symbol.

Is there an alt code for the pointing finger symbol?

No. ☞ is outside the Windows-1252 and code page 437 character sets, so no Alt + number code produces it. Copy it from this page, type 261E then Alt + X in Word, or find it in Character Map.

How do I type the pointing finger symbol on a Mac?

There is no single Option shortcut for ☞ on the US layout. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search for “pointing index” and double-click it, or copy it from this page.

What is the HTML code for the pointing finger symbol?

☞ has no named HTML entity. Use the numeric reference ☞ or ☞, or paste the character directly into a UTF-8 page.

What is the Unicode for the pointing finger symbol?

☞ is U+261E, officially named WHITE RIGHT POINTING INDEX, in the Miscellaneous Symbols block. It has been part of Unicode since version 1.1 (1993).