A guide to navigation icons
Navigation icons that show people where to go
Navigation icons help people move through a product or understand a route without stopping to read every interface element. Arrows can indicate direction, a location pin can identify a place, and a menu symbol can reveal additional destinations. Use these graphics in websites, mobile applications, map interfaces and wayfinding presentations. Start by deciding whether the symbol moves someone to another screen, changes a view or points to a physical location. Those are different behaviors. A clear, familiar shape is usually more useful than a clever metaphor, particularly when the navigation control appears repeatedly or must work in a very small space.
Search arrows, maps and location symbols
Try arrow, chevron, location, map, compass, menu, home or route. Arrow icons can communicate forward and backward movement, while chevrons often support expandable sections or directional controls. Location pins can identify destinations, but may need a label to distinguish a saved place from a person’s current position. Search for the action as well as the shape: expand, return, open and locate describe different needs. Keep direction conventions consistent with the language and layout of your interface. For maps and diagrams, choose the symbol that describes the actual destination rather than implying precision or live tracking that the product does not provide.
Make wayfinding predictable and accessible
Choose navigation icons that remain distinct at small sizes and leave enough space around each clickable control. Keep stroke weight and alignment consistent across arrows, home symbols and menus. An icon’s drawn size is not the same as its usable click or touch area, so test the complete control rather than the artwork alone. Pair unfamiliar symbols with visible labels and give icon-only buttons accessible names. Do not use a direction arrow for unrelated actions such as saving or deleting. Predictable navigation comes from consistent behavior, clear destinations and readable states; the graphics should reinforce those qualities across the whole experience.
Find, customize and download
Best Icons brings 272,978 icons from 151 collections into one searchable library. The search system uses names, descriptions and related terms to help you explore possible matches. This page keeps its topic selected while you narrow the results. Switch between Line, Solid, Color and Duotone, or open Advanced Settings to choose a collection and refine the selection.
Choose the right file for your project
Use SVG for scalable interface artwork and editable vectors, or PNG when your publishing tool needs a raster image. The color controls let you try a brand color; Color icons retain their original palette until you choose a custom tint. Check the source license shown for each icon and your account’s download access before using an asset. A topic label describes visual meaning, not a certification or permission. For a coherent result, pair icons with clear text labels and check their contrast at the size people will actually see.