On emoji ๐
The ๐ emoji shows the word ON with a right-pointing arrow. It is used to mean โonโ โ turned on, switched on, or going ahead.
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What the ๐ emoji means
The ๐ button is a word-and-arrow symbol that pairs the word โONโ with a right-pointing arrow. Its core meaning is simply โonโ โ as in a device being powered on, a feature being active, or something starting. The design shows the word ON in capital letters with an arrow, but exact colours and styling vary by platform.
In English chat, people often use ๐ as a shorthand for the word โonโ itself. It can replace the word in phrases like โIโm on my wayโ (becoming โIโm ๐ my wayโ) or โturn it onโ (becoming โturn it ๐โ). This works because the emoji is visually clear and saves a small amount of typing in fast conversations. The symbol is usually in the Symbols section of your emoji keyboard, alongside other arrow buttons such as the SOON arrow emoji and the TOP arrow emoji.
The ๐๐ meaning: on top
When ๐ is paired with the TOP arrow ๐, the two read together as โon topโ. This combination is common in gaming and competition spaces, where it means being in first place, winning, or having control of a situation. The pair is compact, so it appears often in chat during live events or ranked matches.
You might see โ๐๐โ in a message after someone hits the highest score in a game, or when a project youโre managing is going well. It is a quick way to say โweโre on top of thisโ or โweโre winningโ without typing the whole phrase. Some people also use it to describe a person or team that is performing exceptionally well at the moment.
Compare ON! arrow with similar emoji
| Emoji | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ON! arrowU+1F51B | Shows ON with right arrow; means โonโ, often paired with ๐ for โon topโ. | |
| right arrowU+27A1 U+FE0F | Simple directional arrow pointing right; used for movement or to show direction. | |
| up arrowU+2B06 U+FE0F | Points upward; often used to indicate north, increase, or โupโ in text. | |
| right arrow curving leftU+21A9 U+FE0F | Used for return or undo in interface contexts. | |
| left-right arrowU+2194 U+FE0F | Indicates two directions, exchange, or width. |
How people use ๐
Beyond the literal โonโ meaning, ๐ shows up in a few specific contexts. It belongs to a set of word-and-arrow symbols that includes the SOON arrow ๐, the TOP arrow ๐, and the END arrow ๐. These are often used to label status or progress, and ๐ acts as the opposite of an off state.
In English, ๐ tends to appear in casual texting and on social media when someone wants to be playful with symbols. It is less common than faces or hearts, but it is a handy addition to messages about devices, routines, or competitive wins. The arrow part of the design also gives it a subtle sense of motion, which can imply going forward or starting something.
- Saying youโre on your way: โIโm ๐ the trainโ
- Describing a device: โthe TV is ๐โ
- In gaming, pairing with ๐ for โon topโ: โweโre ๐๐ right nowโ
- Marking a feature as active: โnotifications are ๐โ
How to type or copy ๐
On most phones and computers, you can also find it by opening your emoji keyboard and searching for โonโ or โarrowโ.
On iPhone and Android, the emoji is usually in the Symbols section, near the other arrow buttons. On Mac, press Control + Command + Space. The emoji works in any app that supports text input, including messaging apps, social media, and games.
Questions people ask
What does ๐ mean?
It means โonโ โ like a device being on, a feature being active, or the word โonโ in a sentence. It is a word-and-arrow symbol that combines the word ON with an arrow.
What does ๐๐ mean?
It reads as โon topโ. People use it to say theyโre winning, in first place, or handling something well.
How do you use ๐?
You can use it as a shorthand for the word โonโ in messages, or pair it with ๐ to say โon topโ. It is often used in gaming and casual chat.
Is ๐ used a lot?
It is not as common as faces or hearts, but it appears in gaming and contexts where โonโ or โon topโ is the key idea.
Whatโs the difference between ๐ and the right arrow?
๐ includes the word ON, so it specifically means โonโ. The right arrow is just a direction indicator.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the Emoji Directory editorial team, without ads or sponsorship. Meanings describe how the emoji is commonly used in public posts and messages, not an official definition. Names, code points, versions, keywords and translations come from the Unicode Emoji 18.0 and CLDR data; shortcodes from the gemoji project. Last reviewed . Spotted a mistake or a new usage? Tell us, or read how the directory is made.
