Arrows in TikZ
Master arrow tips, styles, and customization in TikZ for professional diagrams.
Basic Arrow Syntax
Add arrows to lines using the arrow tip specifiers in square brackets:
For modern, customizable arrows, use the arrows.meta library: \usetikzlibrary{arrows.meta}
arrows.meta, Stealth, and legacy arrow names
Modern TikZ arrow-tip names are case-sensitive. Load arrows.meta and use Stealth or Latex with an uppercase first letter. Lowercase stealth and latex are legacy names and should not be used as drop-in spellings for the modern tips.
| Goal | Recommended syntax | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Modern Stealth tip | -Stealth | arrows.meta |
| Modern LaTeX-style tip | -Latex | arrows.meta |
| Set the default tip | >=Stealth, then -> | arrows.meta |
| Built-in generic arrow | -> | No extra library |
If TikZ reports an unknown arrow tip named Stealth, the usual fix is to load arrows.meta. If old code uses lowercase stealth, either keep its legacy setup or migrate the library and name together.
Arrow Tips (Basic)
The core shorthands work without an extra library. The lowercase stealth and latex rows are legacy syntax; prefer the arrows.meta forms above for new diagrams.
| Syntax | Description |
|---|---|
-> | Standard arrow tip |
->> | Double arrow tip |
-| | Bar (perpendicular line) |
-o | Circle tip |
-* | Filled circle tip |
-stealth | Stealth fighter style |
-latex | LaTeX style arrow |
Modern Arrows with arrows.meta
The arrows.meta library provides highly customizable arrow tips:
Customizing Arrow Size
Control arrow tip dimensions with parameters:
Arrow Tip Styles
Modify the appearance of arrow tips:
Multiple Arrow Tips
Combine multiple arrow tips on a single line:
Arrow Positioning
Control where the arrow tip ends:
Curved Arrows
Add arrows to curved paths:
Global Arrow Settings
Set default arrow styles for your entire document:
Arrows in Flowcharts
Common arrow patterns for diagrams:
Next Steps
Continue exploring TikZ features:
- TikZ Positioning Library - Place the nodes your arrows connect
- Circuit Diagrams - Connect logic gates and electronic components
- Colors and Styles - Color your arrows and lines
- Flowcharts - Complete flowchart tutorial
- Nodes and Labels - Add labels to arrows
Arrows in TikZ
Master arrow tips, styles, and customization in TikZ for professional diagrams.
Basic Arrow Syntax
Add arrows to lines using the arrow tip specifiers in square brackets:
For modern, customizable arrows, use the arrows.meta library: \usetikzlibrary{arrows.meta}
arrows.meta, Stealth, and legacy arrow names
Modern TikZ arrow-tip names are case-sensitive. Load arrows.meta and use Stealth or Latex with an uppercase first letter. Lowercase stealth and latex are legacy names and should not be used as drop-in spellings for the modern tips.
| Goal | Recommended syntax | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Modern Stealth tip | -Stealth | arrows.meta |
| Modern LaTeX-style tip | -Latex | arrows.meta |
| Set the default tip | >=Stealth, then -> | arrows.meta |
| Built-in generic arrow | -> | No extra library |
If TikZ reports an unknown arrow tip named Stealth, the usual fix is to load arrows.meta. If old code uses lowercase stealth, either keep its legacy setup or migrate the library and name together.
Arrow Tips (Basic)
The core shorthands work without an extra library. The lowercase stealth and latex rows are legacy syntax; prefer the arrows.meta forms above for new diagrams.
| Syntax | Description |
|---|---|
-> | Standard arrow tip |
->> | Double arrow tip |
-| | Bar (perpendicular line) |
-o | Circle tip |
-* | Filled circle tip |
-stealth | Stealth fighter style |
-latex | LaTeX style arrow |
Modern Arrows with arrows.meta
The arrows.meta library provides highly customizable arrow tips:
Customizing Arrow Size
Control arrow tip dimensions with parameters:
Arrow Tip Styles
Modify the appearance of arrow tips:
Multiple Arrow Tips
Combine multiple arrow tips on a single line:
Arrow Positioning
Control where the arrow tip ends:
Curved Arrows
Add arrows to curved paths:
Global Arrow Settings
Set default arrow styles for your entire document:
Arrows in Flowcharts
Common arrow patterns for diagrams:
Next Steps
Continue exploring TikZ features:
- TikZ Positioning Library - Place the nodes your arrows connect
- Circuit Diagrams - Connect logic gates and electronic components
- Colors and Styles - Color your arrows and lines
- Flowcharts - Complete flowchart tutorial
- Nodes and Labels - Add labels to arrows