Reaction arrow types

The Arrow tool (W) has forward (1), equilibrium (2), lies forward (3), lies backward (4), resonance (5), retro (6), curly (7), fishhook (8) and no reaction (9), plus dashed and plain.

Press W for the Arrow tool. The row above the toolbar shows every arrow; press its number to pick it, then drag on the canvas.

The Arrow tool's row of arrow types, from forward to plain.The Arrow tool's row of arrow types, from forward to plain.

The arrows

Key Arrow Means
1 forward The reaction goes from left to right
2 equilibrium A reversible reaction, at equilibrium
3 lies forward An equilibrium that favors the products
4 lies backward An equilibrium that favors the starting materials
5 resonance Two drawings of the same molecule, not a reaction
6 retro Retrosynthesis: the target on the left is made from what is on the right
7 curly A pair of electrons moving, in a mechanism
8 fishhook A single electron moving, in a radical mechanism
9 no reaction The reaction does not happen under these conditions
dashed A step that is implied, or several steps in one
plain A line with no meaning of its own, for layout

The picture shows each arrow once, top to bottom, in the order of the table.

Every arrow type drawn one under another, from forward at the top to plain at the bottom.Every arrow type drawn one under another, from forward at the top to plain at the bottom.

Curly and fishhook arrows bend: drag from where the electrons start to where they go. See How to draw curved arrows for a mechanism.

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Last updated Nov 12, 2026