Flowchart Symbols

Flowchart symbols are the building blocks of effective process visualization. Understanding these standardized shapes is essential for creating clear, professional diagrams that communicate complex processes effectively. This comprehensive reference covers all standard diagram elements defined by ISO 5807, helping you master the art of process mapping.

Whether you're documenting business processes, designing software workflows, or mapping system architectures, knowing the correct symbols ensures your diagrams are universally understood and professionally formatted.

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What Are Flowchart Symbols?

Flowchart symbols are standardized geometric shapes that represent specific types of actions, decisions, or data flow in process diagrams. These diagram elements were first standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and later adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in their ISO 5807:1985 standard.

The standardization of these shapes ensures universal understanding across teams, industries, and geographical boundaries. When you use proper diagram notation, your flowcharts communicate effectively regardless of the viewer's background or location.

Why Standardized Flowchart Symbols Matter

Using correct diagram notation provides several key benefits:

• Universal Recognition: Standard shapes have consistent meanings worldwide
• Professional Appearance: Proper symbols create polished, credible documentation
• Clear Communication: Standardized elements eliminate ambiguity in process representation
• Industry Compliance: Many industries require standard notation for documentation

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Basic Flowchart Symbols: Essential Shapes

Terminal Symbol (Oval)

Shape: Oval or elongated circle Purpose: Marks the beginning or end of a process Usage: Every flowchart should start and end with this shape

The terminal is one of the most fundamental diagram elements. Use this symbol to clearly indicate where your process begins and ends.

Examples: "Start Process", "End", "Begin Login", "Exit System"

Process Symbol (Rectangle)

Shape: Rectangle Purpose: Represents a process, action, or operation step Usage: The most commonly used diagram element

The process rectangle is the workhorse of diagram notation. This shape represents any action that transforms input into output.

Examples: "Calculate Total", "Send Email", "Update Database", "Validate Input"

Decision Symbol (Diamond)

Shape: Diamond or rhombus Purpose: Represents a decision point with Yes/No or True/False outcomes Usage: Critical element for showing conditional logic

The decision diamond is one of the most important shapes for representing logic flow. This element always has two or more exit paths.

Examples: "Is Payment Valid?", "Age > 18?", "Stock Available?", "User Authenticated?"

Input/Output Symbol (Parallelogram)

Shape: Parallelogram (slanted rectangle) Purpose: Represents data input or output operations Usage: Essential element for data flow representation

Among diagram shapes, the parallelogram specifically handles data operations. Use this symbol whenever data enters or leaves your process.

Examples: "Enter Username", "Display Results", "Read File", "Print Report"

Connector Symbol (Circle)

Shape: Small circle Purpose: Connects different parts of a flowchart Usage: Useful element for complex diagrams spanning multiple pages

The connector is one of the organizational diagram elements. This shape helps maintain clarity in complex diagrams.

Examples: Numbered circles like "1", "2", "A", "B"

Flow Line (Arrow)

Shape: Line with arrowhead Purpose: Shows the direction of process flow Usage: Connects all other diagram elements to show sequence

Arrows are the connecting elements among diagram shapes. These lines indicate the order and direction of process steps.

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Advanced Flowchart Symbols: Professional Documentation

Document Symbol

Shape: Rectangle with wavy bottom edge Purpose: Represents a document or report Usage: Specialized flowchart symbol for document-centric processes

The document shape is one of the specialized flowchart symbols for information handling. Use this flowchart symbol when your process involves creating, reading, or processing documents.

Examples: "Invoice", "Contract", "Report", "Certificate"

Database Symbol

Shape: Cylinder Purpose: Represents stored data or database operations Usage: Important flowchart symbol for data-driven processes

Among modern flowchart symbols, the database cylinder represents data storage. This flowchart symbol is essential for system and software flowcharts.

Examples: "Customer Database", "Inventory System", "User Records", "Transaction Log"

Manual Operation Symbol

Shape: Trapezoid (inverted from input/output) Purpose: Represents a manual process step Usage: Specific flowchart symbol distinguishing human from automated tasks

The manual operation is one of the flowchart symbols that specifically indicates human intervention. Use this flowchart symbol to highlight steps requiring human action.

Examples: "Manual Review", "Physical Inspection", "Sign Document", "Quality Check"

Predefined Process Symbol

Shape: Rectangle with double vertical lines Purpose: Represents a subprocess or predefined routine Usage: Organizational flowchart symbol for modular process design

The predefined process is one of the flowchart symbols used for hierarchical process mapping. This flowchart symbol references detailed processes defined elsewhere.

Examples: "Login Process", "Payment Gateway", "Error Handling", "Data Validation"

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Specialized Flowchart Symbols for Complex Processes

Preparation Symbol

Shape: Hexagon Purpose: Represents setup or initialization steps Usage: Specific flowchart symbol for preparation activities

The hexagon is one of the flowchart symbols dedicated to setup operations. Use this flowchart symbol for initialization and preparation steps.

Examples: "Initialize Variables", "Set Parameters", "Configure System", "Load Settings"

Delay Symbol

Shape: D-shape or half circle Purpose: Represents waiting or delay in process Usage: Temporal flowchart symbol for time-based operations

The delay symbol is one of the flowchart symbols that represents time. This flowchart symbol indicates waiting periods or processing delays.

Examples: "Wait for Approval", "Processing Delay", "Cooling Period", "Queue Time"

Display Symbol

Shape: Curved rectangle Purpose: Represents information display to users Usage: Interface-focused flowchart symbol for user interaction

The display symbol is one of the user interface flowchart symbols. Use this flowchart symbol when information is presented to users.

Examples: "Show Dashboard", "Display Error", "Present Results", "Show Status"

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Flowchart Symbols Best Practices

Consistency in Symbol Usage

When working with diagram elements, consistency is paramount. Use the same shapes for similar operations throughout your diagram. This consistency makes your notation more effective and your diagrams easier to understand.

Proper Symbol Selection

Choose the right elements for each operation type:

• Use process rectangles for actions and operations
• Use decision diamonds for conditional logic
• Use input/output parallelograms for data operations
• Use terminal ovals for start and end points

Symbol Sizing and Spacing

Maintain consistent sizing across all diagram elements. Proper spacing between shapes improves readability and professional appearance.

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Common Flowchart Symbols Mistakes

Wrong Flowchart Symbols Selection

❌ Mistake: Using process rectangles for decisions
✅ Correct: Using decision diamonds for conditional logic

Inconsistent Flowchart Symbols Usage

❌ Mistake: Using different flowchart symbols for similar operations
✅ Correct: Standardizing flowchart symbols throughout the diagram

Missing Flow Direction

❌ Mistake: Connecting flowchart symbols without directional arrows
✅ Correct: Using arrows to show flow between all flowchart symbols

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Industry-Specific Flowchart Symbols Applications

Business Process Flowchart Symbols

Business analysts frequently use these flowchart symbols:

• Decision diamonds for approval processes
• Document symbols for paperwork and reports
• Manual operation symbols for human tasks
• Database symbols for information storage

Software Development Flowchart Symbols

Programmers commonly use these flowchart symbols:

• Process rectangles for code execution
• Decision diamonds for conditional statements
• Predefined process symbols for function calls
• Input/output symbols for user interaction

Manufacturing Flowchart Symbols

Manufacturing processes often use these flowchart symbols:

• Manual operation symbols for assembly steps
• Delay symbols for curing or waiting periods
• Decision diamonds for quality control checks
• Process rectangles for automated operations

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Modern Tools for Flowchart Symbols

AI-Powered Flowchart Symbols Generation

Modern tools like FlowChart AI automatically select appropriate flowchart symbols based on your process description. These tools ensure proper flowchart symbols usage without requiring memorization of all symbol types.

Traditional Flowchart Symbols Software

Popular software for working with flowchart symbols includes:

• Microsoft Visio: Comprehensive flowchart symbols library
• Lucidchart: Web-based flowchart symbols tools
• Draw.io: Free flowchart symbols software
• Miro: Collaborative flowchart symbols platform

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Flowchart Symbols Quick Reference

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Conclusion: Mastering Flowchart Symbols

Understanding flowchart symbols is fundamental to effective process documentation. These standardized flowchart symbols enable clear communication across teams, industries, and geographical boundaries. By mastering flowchart symbols, you can create professional diagrams that accurately represent complex processes.

Start with the basic flowchart symbols (terminal, process, decision, input/output) and gradually incorporate advanced flowchart symbols as your needs become more sophisticated. Remember that the goal of using flowchart symbols is clarity and communication, not complexity.

Whether you're mapping business processes, documenting software workflows, or designing system architectures, proper use of flowchart symbols ensures your diagrams communicate effectively with any audience.

Ready to create professional diagrams? Try FlowChart AI to automatically generate flowcharts with proper flowchart symbols from simple text descriptions.