Welding Symbols - Basic and Supplementary Weld Symbols

1/11/24, 9:17 PM Welding Symbols | Basic and Supplementary Weld Symbols
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Welding Symbols | Basic and Supplementary Weld Symbols Types &

Drawings
August 13, 2021 By Ravi Teja(https://www.electronicshub.org/author/raviteja/)
(https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Welding-Symbols-Featured-1.png)
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Welding Symbols are a graphical way to convey information about a welding joint. Instead of using an arrow and saying ‘weld here’, a
 (https://www.electronicshub.org)
weld symbol carries more useful information that can be easily understood by the welder, engineer, foreman, supervisor and architect. 
Hence, Welding Symbols are widely used in engineering drawings by welders and engineers to convey essential information like type of
the weld, size of the weld, location of the weld and other supplementary information as well.
Outline
Why Do We Need to Specify Welds?

Consider the following image is given to a welder. The message ‘weld here’ can be interpreted in many ways and hence such messages
are always followed by certain instructions.
(https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Need-for-Welding-Symbols-1.png)
Any one of the following images can be given in addition to the above image. The first image (a) means a single fillet weld, which is the
 simplest of all and also cheap to apply. (https://www.electronicshub.org) 
The second image (b) means a double fillet weld. It is slightly difficult to apply and takes longer time. For this weld to be successful,
access to both sides should be available.
Finally, the third image (c) means a T-butt or groove weld. It is the most complex and expensive of the three as the horizontal object
needs an edge preparation.
(https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Need-for-Welding-Symbols-2.png)
Hence, it is clear that more information on the weld joints must be specified at the design / drawing stage to avoid errors and properly
estimate the time and cost of the welding process.
Advantages of Weld Symbols

From the above explanation, we have concluded that properly specifying the welds is a necessity for a smooth flow of work. But the
above-mentioned pictorial illustration of the weld is not the easiest or the preferred method. Similar to electrical symbols in electrical
circuits, we also have Welding Symbols.
Specifying Welds with symbols rather than pictures is a lot simpler as you don’t have to spend much time in explaining the type, shape
and size of the weld. Hence, most Engineering Drawings related to welding jobs use Weld Symbols to represent all the information
associated with a weld.
Welding Standards
There are two main standards for defining welding and brazing terms, symbols etc. One is the ISO 2553 published by International
Organization for Standardization. The other is the ANSI / AWS A2.4-98 published by the American Welding Society.
The terms and symbols might be different in these two standards.
Elements of a Welding Symbol

Before looking at some of the Basic Weld Symbols, let us try to understand the elements of a welding symbol and what kind of
information does a symbol convey. The following is the list of elements that may be a part of a typical welding symbol.
Reference Line
Arrow
Basic Welding Symbol
Supplementary Weld Symbols
Finish Symbols
Dimensions
Specifications, Process
Tail
To understand the elements of a weld symbol more clearly, let us use the following image, which describes how a typical welding symbol
is drawn and also the standard location of the above-mentioned elements. 
(https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Elements-of-a-Welding-Symbol.png)
Reference Line
It is a horizontal line that is an important part of a completed welding symbol and all the information related to the weld is drawn on or
around it. The positioning of the reference line is also important as it is usually drawn close to the weld joint. All the other symbols and
information must be properly placed as per the symbol standards on or around this reference line.
Arrow
Another important and required part of a completed welding symbols is the Arrow. It connects the reference line with the Arrow Side of
the joint and can be placed at one or the other end of the reference line. The arrow can point in any direction, up down, left, right or it
can even point toward the tail. Sometime, a welding symbol can contain multiple arrows.
Here, there are two important terms we need to be aware of regarding the arrow. They are the Arrow Side and the Other Side. Arrow
Side of the Reference Line is that side of the weld joint to which the arrow points to. If symbols are placed on the Arrow Side of the
Reference Line, then they refer to the Arrow Side of the weld joint.
If the symbols are placed on the other side of the reference line (other than the Arrow Side), then they refer to the Other Side of the
weld joint.
(https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Arrow-Side-and-Other-Side-in-Welding-Symbols.png)
Other Information Describing the Weld

T: It is a part of the Tail to specify information for a particular weld such as change in welding process or electrode. Tail may be
omitted if there aren’t any specifications or reference.
S: Depending on the type of Weld, it can indicate any of the following:
Depth of preparation in case of a Groove Weld
Size of Fillet Weld
Size of Plug Weld or Slot Weld
Shear Strength in case of Projection Weld
E: In case of Groove Weld, it represents the Effective Throat Size or Weld Size. It indicates the Leg Size in case of Fillet Weld. An
important point is that the Effective Size dimensions for Groove Weld are always placed inside parenthesis whereas the Leg Size
dimensions for Fillet Weld are placed without parenthesis.
NOTE: Both S and E are always placed to the left of the weld symbol on the reference line irrespective of the arrow.
R: In case of Groove Weld or Butt Joint, this is the dimension for the Root Opening. In case of Plug Weld or Root Weld, this indicates
the depth of filling.
A: In case of groove Weld, this represents the Included Groove Angle. For Countersunk Plug Welds, this represents included angle
of the countersink.
F: This is where the method of obtaining required contour is indicated. Some of the methods through which contours may be
obtained are: Grinding (G), Chipping (C), Machining (M), Rolling (R), Hammering (H) or unspecified (U).
—: The horizontal line between F and A is the place of the contour symbol of the finished weld.
L: It indicates the Length of the Weld. It is always placed on the right of the weld symbol irrespective of the location of the arrow.
P: If welding is intermittent and spacing between the welds is indicated, then this Indicates the Pitch Spacing or Center-to-Center
Spacing of the weld
N: Indicates the Number of Welds (Spot, Seam, Stud, Plug, Slot or Projection) required.
Different Types of Welding Symbols

Now that we have seen a little bit about elements of a Weld Symbol, we will now take a look at different welding symbols. First, we will
list some Basic Welding Symbols, which most commonly used in drawings. Next, we will see some Supplementary Welding Symbols,
which can be used to convey additional information about a weld.
Basic Welding Symbols

Following image shows some of the commonly used Welding Symbols. The top part of the image consists of Symbols for different types
of Groove or Butt Welds. This includes V Groove Weld, Square Groove Weld, Bevel Groove Weld, U, J, etc.
(https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Basic-Welding-Symbols-Group.png)
The bottom part of the image consists of Fillet Weld, which is perhaps the most frequently used type of weld, Edge Weld, Plug / Slot
 Weld, Spot Weld etc. (https://www.electronicshub.org) 
Let us now see about different Weld Symbols in detail. Groove Welding is the second popular type of weld after Fillet and it involves
edge preparation to form one of the Groove Weld Shapes (V, U, J, Bevel, etc.) or Square Groove with square edges.
BASIC WELDING SYMBOLS
Groove / Butt Welding Symbols

Square Groove Weld Single Bevel Groove Weld
Single V Groove Weld
Depending on the welding process, An edge preparation process which

It is a common form of edge
the Square Groove Weld will be is generally used when only one
preparation for Groove / Butt
limited to a maximum section edge of the adjoining sections is
Welds.
thickness. available for preparation.

Single J Groove Weld
Single U Groove Weld Edge Flanged Groove Weld
If sections are having a thickness

If sections are having a thickness As per ISO Standard, it illustrates a
greater than 16mm and only one
greater than 12mm, then this type Groove Weld between plates with
edge of the adjoining sections is
of Welding is used to restrict the raised edges. As per AWS Standard,
available for preparation, then this
quantity of the weld metal it illustrates an edge weld on a
type of weld is used to restrict the
required. flanged Groove Joint.
quantity of weld metal required.
Single Bevel Groove Weld with Broad
Root Face
Single V Groove Weld with Broad
Corner Flanged Groove Weld
Root Face
An ISO Standard Symbol for Single

Bevel Groove Weld with Broad Root
It illustrates a Groove Weld plates Face.
An ISO Standard Symbol for Single V
with one raised edge.
Groove Weld with Broad Root Face.
These two, even though mentioned
in ISO 2553, are best avoided.

Flare Bevel Groove Weld
Flare V Groove Weld Steep Flanked V Groove Weld
An AWS Standard Symbol to An ISO Standard Symbol for Steep

An AWS Standard Symbol to illustrate
illustrate a Groove Weld formed by Flanked V Groove Weld with bevel
a Groove Weld formed by one curved
two curved surfaces. angle of 5 – 20⁰ for edge preparation.
surface and one plane surface.
Steep Flanked Bevel Groove Weld
An ISO Standard Symbol for Steep

Flanked Bevel Groove Weld with
bevel angle of 15 – 30⁰ for edge
preparation.
Fillet, Edge and Other Commonly Used Weld Symbols

Fillet Weld Plug / Slot Weld
Edge Weld
The symbol for Fillet Weld, which is A type of weld which forms
the most commonly used type of Illustrates an Edge Weld, which is overlapping joints using circular or
welding. If not specified, the leg usually deposited only on one side. elongated holes that are completely
lengths are equal. filled with weld metal.
Resistance Seam Weld
Arc Spot Weld
Resistance Spot Weld
Seam Welding is similar to Spot

Spot Welding is made using high
Symbol to illustrate Resistance Spot Welding but instead of a single point
heat input at a single spot. Symbol
Welding, which requires access from it is made in a linear form. This
illustrates an Arc Spot Welding,
both sides. Spot Welding usually symbol illustrates a Resistance Seam
which is made from one side of the
means Resistance Spot Welding. Weld, which requires access from
joint.
both sides of the joint.

Arc Seam Weld
Surfacing
Symbol to illustrate Arc Seam

As the name suggests, the arrow line
Welding, which is made from only
this symbol points to the entire
one side of the joint. Seam Welding
surface which is to be coated with
usually Resistance Seam Welding
weld metal.
as Arc Seam welding is rarely used.
Supplementary Welding Symbols

(https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Supplementary-Welding-Symbols-Group.png)
The supplementary welding symbols are used to provide additional information about the weld joints.
SUPPLEMENTARY WELDING SYMBOLS

Flat (Flush)
Concave
Convex
The first three symbols (Flat, Convex

and Concave) illustrate the final shape Symbol to illustrate a concave contour
of the weld, also known as Contour of This symbol illustrates a convex finish. It is used in special cases where
the Weld. The Flat or Flush symbol is contour finish. welded surfaces must be smooth for
used to indicate a weld face that is flat cleaning or painting.
and flush with the surface.
Back / Backing Weld
Smooth Blended Toes
Spacer
This symbol is used for both Back

An ISO Standard Symbol Toes Blended Weld as well as Backing Weld. The
Smoothly. It is used to indicate weld A Spacer Symbol illustrates the Back Weld is done on the opposite /
toes must be ground to remove any use of spacer in the joint. reverse side of the Groove Weld after
slag intrusions at the toes of the welds. finishing the main weld. Backing Weld
is done before the main weld.
SUPPLEMENTARY WELDING SYMBOLS

Removable Backing Consumable Insert
Permanent Backing
Backing Strip or Backing is different An AWS Standard Symbol for

from Backing Weld. This symbol Symbol to illustrate a consumable insert. The tail of the
illustrates a joint with removable permanent backing strip. Welding Symbol consists of the type of
backing strip. the insert.
Field Weld
Weld All Around Melt Through
The Field Weld or Site Weld

A Peripheral Weld or a Weld All Around The Melt Through illustrates the need
indicates welds that are not
Symbol illustrates a weld that must be for complete penetration in welds
made at the initial fabrication
made over the entire circumference. from one side to the other.
location but rather on the field.
Location of Welding Symbols

Let us now understand the location significance of the symbols. First, we will see a couple of examples for Groove Welds and then we
proceed with Fillet Welds.
Groove Welds
The following image shows the location of Groove Welding Symbols. Symbols in both ISO and AWS standards are shown for reference.
In the first image, a Single V Groove Weld is shown where the welding symbols are located on the reference line and the arrow is
pointing to one side of the joint. The weld can be in a plane view or a cross section. Here, we used the arrow to point to the weld in a
cross-section.
(https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Location-of-Welding-Symbol-1.png)
In the second image, a Single Bevel Groove Weld is shown where the arrow points to the edge of the joint which must be prepared for
bevel.
Fillet Welds
Similar to Groove Welds, the Symbols for Fillet Welds are also located on a reference line, which is then connected to an arrow pointing
to one side of the joint. To demonstrate the same, let us take ‘T-Joint’ and ‘Cruciform Joint’ as welding joints and see the location
significance of Fillet Welds.
In the first image, an end view of a T-Joint is shown with a single Fillet Weld.
In the second image, an end view of a Cruciform Joint is shown with two single fillet welds.
In the next image, an end view of a Cruciform Joint is shown with a double fillet weld on the left side and a single fillet weld on the right
 side. (https://www.electronicshub.org) 
In the last image, it is an alternative way to represent the second image where two arrows are used with a single reference line. This
method can be used as per ISO Standards but cannot be used as per AWS Standards.
Dimensions in Weld Symbols

Size of the Welds is also an important specification in some welds. Both ISO and AWS Standards have their own way of specifying the
necessary dimensions of the welds.
Groove Welds
Fully Penetrated Groove Welds
The following images show the illustration, ISO Symbol and AWS Symbol for a Fully Penetrated Single V Groove and Symmetrical Double
V Groove Welds.
(https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Dimensions-of-Weld-Symbols-1.png)
Partial Penetrated Groove Welds

Both ISO and AWS Standards allows specification of the size of the Groove Weld on the left of the weld symbol. In ISO Standard, the
number is placed directly and the dimensions are usually in millimeters. In AWS Standard, the numbers are placed in brackets and the
dimensions are in inches.
The following image shows a Partial Penetration of a Single V Groove Weld.

A similar approach can be applied to Square Groove Weld as well. The following image shows a Partial Penetration Square Groove Weld.
In AWS, additional information for edge preparation can be indicated. The size of gap between the plates is mentioned between the
sides of the weld symbol.
Groove Weld Dimensions

All the details of a Groove Weld such as Bevel Angle, Root Face, Gap and Sizes of Welds can be mentioned as per the AWS Standard. The
following image shows 5/8-inch plate with 600 Bevel Angle, Depth of Bevel is 1/4 inch and weld size is 3/8 inch.
Length of Groove
If the length of the Groove Weld is not mentioned, then it means the whole length of the joint must be welded. But sometimes length of
the weld is smaller than the length of the joint or the welding may be intermittent.
In this case, we can specify the length and location of the weld with a number on the right of the symbol. The following image shows an
AWS Standard Symbol which has information on intermittent Square Groove Welds along with hatching.
Fillet Welds
Fillet Weld Sizes
As per ISO Standard, the size of the Fillet Welds can be mentioned using Leg Length (z) and Throat Thickness (a). The dimension is placed
on the left of the weld symbol and additionally, it is preceded by letter z (for leg length) or a (for throat thickness).
In AWS Standard, the size of the fillet weld is always the Leg Length and the number is placed on the left of the weld symbol.
The following image shows a Fillet Weld both in ISO and AWS Standards with leg length of 6mm (1/4 inch).
Deep Penetration Welds

The following image shows an ISO Standard Symbol for deep penetration welds and the effective weld throat is represented by S, which
is placed in front of the throat thickness.
5 Responses
John Kay (https://pinterest) says:
Double Fillet Welds

All the dimensionsThis

in ainformation
Double Fillet Weld are
is excellent repeated
and even
informative forifan
they are identical.
inexperienced TheDIG
learner following
welder image shows the same.
like myself..
I have asked welders for advice on techniques and good work practices and find them a bit negative with their 
feedback.
It’s as though they want to keep their ways of working to themseves.
I will certainly make use of information etc that you have provided and hopefully up my welding skills in the future.
Reply
HAMMOND EBENEZER says:
WOW THIS IS AMAZING
Reply
Gilbert says:
Longitudinal Fillet Welds
Good explanation am impressed
If the weld is intermittent
Give me and
morenot continuous,
about of it then the length of the weld and also the gaps between the welds can be mentioned. The
following image shows a plan view and cross section of an intermittent fillet weld along with the ISO and AWS Standard symbols.
Reply
Ng'and greenwell says:
Good morning
Your lessons are very important and interesting .
Thank you so much
Reply
Mustafa Nageso Ari says:
Very very good to understand
 Reply
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– Illustrations
* for Welding Symbols
The following table has demo illustrations for different weld symbols described in the article. You can use these illustrations as a
reference for a better understand of all the welding symbols.
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1/11/24, 9:17 PM Welding Symbols | Basic and Supplementary Weld Symbols

Home (https://www.electronicshub.org) Welding (https://www.electronicshub.org/previews/welding/)

Welding Symbols | Basic and Supplementary Weld Symbols Types &

Why Do We Need to Specify Welds?

Advantages of Weld Symbols

The terms and symbols might be different in these two standards.

Elements of a Welding Symbol

Other Information Describing the Weld

Different Types of Welding Symbols

Basic Welding Symbols

BASIC WELDING SYMBOLS

Groove / Butt Welding Symbols

Depending on the welding process, An edge preparation process which

BASIC WELDING SYMBOLS

If sections are having a thickness

An ISO Standard Symbol for Single

BASIC WELDING SYMBOLS

An AWS Standard Symbol to An ISO Standard Symbol for Steep

An ISO Standard Symbol for Steep

BASIC WELDING SYMBOLS

Seam Welding is similar to Spot

BASIC WELDING SYMBOLS

Symbol to illustrate Arc Seam

Supplementary Welding Symbols

SUPPLEMENTARY WELDING SYMBOLS

The first three symbols (Flat, Convex

This symbol is used for both Back

SUPPLEMENTARY WELDING SYMBOLS

Backing Strip or Backing is different An AWS Standard Symbol for

The Field Weld or Site Weld

Location of Welding Symbols

Dimensions in Weld Symbols

Partial Penetrated Groove Welds

The following image shows a Partial Penetration of a Single V Groove Weld.

Groove Weld Dimensions

Deep Penetration Welds

Double Fillet Welds

All the dimensionsThis

HAMMOND EBENEZER says:

WOW THIS IS AMAZING

Ng'and greenwell says:

Mustafa Nageso Ari says:

Very very good to understand

General Projects Projects Tutorials

(htt (htt Calculator Embedded ideas/) Diodes

ps:/ ps:/ (https://www.electronicshub.org/tools/)

ook. twit ube. w.in

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/ele co /use ram

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nics h_o ectr m/e

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.org Weld withshu

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Back / Backing Weld Arc Spot Weld Resistance Spot

Arc Seam Weld Resistance Seam Weld Surfacing Weld

Full Penetration Welding & How To Achieve ? (https://www.electronicshub.org/full-penetration-welding/)

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