How to Read and Understand Weld Symbols | MillerWelds

How to Read and Understand Weld Symbols

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Learn how to read common welding symbols and their meanings.
close up horizontal fillet weld

What are common welding symbols and what do they mean?

A set of welding symbols is shorthand for describing the type of weld, its size and other processing and finishing information. You will often find these on engineering and fabrication drawings. Here we will introduce you to common welding symbols and their meanings. A complete set of symbols is available through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Welding Society (AWS). Operators should reference ANSI/AWS A2.4, Symbols for Welding and Nondestructive Testing.

What is the basic structure of a welding symbol?

The horizontal line — called the reference line — is the anchor for all welding symbols. You'll find instructions for making the weld strung along the reference line. An arrow connects the reference line to the joint that is to be welded. In the example above, you'll see the arrow growing out of the right end of the reference line and heading down and to the right, but standards allow many other combinations. 

weld symbol

There are often two sides to the joint to which the arrow points, and therefore two potential places for a weld. For example, when joining two steel plates into a T shape, you may weld on either side of the T. 

The weld symbol distinguishes between the two sides by using the arrow and the spaces above and below the reference line. The side of the joint to which the arrow points is known as the arrow side, and that weld's instructions are given below the reference line. The other side of the joint is known as the other side, and you'll weld according to the instructions found above the reference line. This rule applies regardless of the arrow’s direction. 
weld symbol
The flag growing out of the junction of the reference line and the arrow is present when completing the weld in the field during erection of the structure. A weld symbol without a flag indicates that the weld is to be made in the shop. Older drawings may denote a field weld by a filled black circle at the junction between the arrow and reference line. 
The open circle at the arrow/reference line junction indicates a weld is to go all around the joint, as in the example to the right. 

The tail of the weld symbol is the place for supplementary information on the weld. It may reference the welding process, electrode or any helpful information that doesn't have a place on the symbol.
weld symbol

What are different types of welds and their symbols?

Each welding position has its own basic symbol. This is typically placed near the center of the reference line (and above or below it, depending on which side of the joint it's on). The symbol is a small drawing that represents a simplified cross-section of the weld. In the descriptions below, the symbol is shown in both its arrow-side and other-side positions. 

weld symbol

Fillet welds

Welders use the fillet weld (pronounced "fill-it") to make lap joints, corner joints and T joints. The fillet weld is roughly triangular in cross-section, although it is not always a right triangle or an isosceles triangle. The operator deposits metal in a corner formed by the fit-up of the two members. This metal penetrates and fuses with the base metal to form the joint. (Note: For the sake of graphical clarity, the drawings to the right do not show the penetration of the weld metal. Recognize, however, that the degree of penetration is important in determining the quality of the weld.) 

weld symbol

You'll find the perpendicular leg of the triangle on the left side of the symbol, regardless of the weld orientation. You'll also find the leg size to the left of the weld symbol. If the two legs of the weld are to be the same size, only one dimension is given. If the weld is to have unequal legs, both dimensions are given. There is also an indication on the drawing as to which leg is longer.

weld symbol

Find the length of the weld to the right of the symbol. 

If there is no length, place the weld between specified dimension lines (if given) or between those points where an abrupt change in the weld direction would occur (like at the end of the plates in the example above). 

weld symbol

For intermittent welds, a dash separates the length of each portion of the weld and the spacing of the welds (length first, spacing second). You'll find this to the right of the fillet weld symbol.

Notice that the spacing, or pitch, is not the clear space between the welds, but the center-to-center (or end-to-end) distance.

weld symbol

Groove welds

When making edge-to-edge joints, you'll most likely use a groove weld. Welders might also use it in corner joints, T joints and joints between curved and flat pieces. As suggested by the variety of groove weld symbols, there are many ways to make a groove weld. The differences depend primarily on the geometry of the parts to be joined and the preparation of their edges. Operators deposit weld metal within the groove, which penetrates and fuses with the base metal to form the joint.

(Note: For the sake of graphical clarity, the drawings below generally do not show the penetration of the weld metal. Recognize, however, that the degree of penetration is important in determining the quality of the weld.) 

weld symbol

The various types of groove welds are: 

 

Square groove welds

The groove is created by either a tight fit or a slight separation of the edges. You'll find the amount of separation, if any, on the weld symbol. 
weld symbol

V-groove welds

The edges of both pieces are chamfered, either singly or doubly, to create the groove. You'll see the angle of the V on the weld symbol, as is the separation at the root (if any).
weld symbol
If the depth of the V is not the full thickness — or half the thickness in the case of a double V — the depth is given to the left of the weld symbol.
weld symbol
If the penetration of the weld is greater than the depth of the groove, you'll see the depth of the effective throat in parentheses after the depth of the V. 
weld symbol

Bevel groove welds

The edge of one of the pieces is chamfered and the other is left square. Operators will find the bevel symbol's perpendicular line on the left side, regardless of the orientation of the weld. The arrow points toward the chamfered piece. A break in the arrow line emphasizes this extra significance. (The break isn't necessary if the designer has no preference as to which piece gets the edge treatment or if the piece to be treated should be obvious.) Angle and depth of edge treatment, effective throat and separation at the root are described using the methods discussed in the V-groove section. 
weld symbol

U-groove welds

The edges of both pieces are given a concave treatment. Depth of edge treatment, effective throat and separation at the root are described using the methods discussed in the V-groove section.
weld symbol

J-groove welds

The edge of one of the pieces is given a concave treatment and the other is left square. It is to the U-groove weld what the bevel groove weld is to the V-groove weld. As with the bevel, you'll find the perpendicular line on the left side. The arrow (with a break, if necessary) points to the piece that receives the edge treatment. Depth of edge treatment, effective throat and separation at the root are described using the methods discussed in the V-groove section.
weld symbol

Flare V-groove welds

Commonly used to join two rounded or curved parts. You'll find the intended depth of the weld in parentheses to the left of the symbol.
weld symbol

Flare bevel groove welds

Commonly used to join a round or curved piece to a flat piece. You'll find the depth of the groove and the intended depth of the weld (in parentheses) to the symbol's left. The symbol's perpendicular line is always on the left side, regardless of the orientation of the weld itself.
weld symbol

Supplementary symbols

Common supplementary symbols used with groove welds are the melt-thru and backing bar symbols. Both symbols indicate making the complete joint penetration with a single-sided groove weld. In the case of melt-thru, reinforce the root with weld metal on the back side of the joint. You'll find the height of the reinforcement, if critical, to the left of the melt-thru symbol, which is across the reference line from the basic weld symbol.
weld symbol
When you need to use a backing bar to achieve complete joint penetration, you'll see its symbol across the reference line from the basic weld symbol. You will find an "R" within the backing bar symbol if you need to remove the bar after completing the weld. The backing bar symbol has the same shape as the plug or slot weld symbol, but context should always make the symbol's intention clear.
weld symbol

Plug and slot welds

Welders use plug welds and slot welds to join overlapping members, one of which has holes (round for plug welds, elongated for slot welds) in it. Weld metal is deposited in the holes and penetrates and fuses with the base metal of the two members to form the joint. (Note: For the sake of graphical clarity, the drawings below do not show the penetration of the weld metal. Recognize, however, that the degree of penetration is important in determining the quality of the weld.) For plug welds, you'll see the diameter of each plug to the left of the symbol. Find plug-to-plug spacing (pitch) to the right.
 
For slot welds, find the width of each slot to the left of the symbol. You'll see the length and pitch (separated by a dash) to the right of the symbol, with a detail drawing in the tail. Find the number of plugs or slots in parentheses above or below the weld symbol. The arrow-side and other-side designations indicate which piece contains the hole(s). If the hole is not to be completely filled with weld metal, the weld symbol provides the depth to which it is to be filled. 

weld symbol

Welding symbols chart

Download a copy of the ANSI/AWS A2.4, Symbols for Welding and Nondestructive Testing. 

 

Download the pdf

Understanding welding symbols

Weld symbols can be confusing if you don't know what you're looking at. By understanding the types of welds and their corresponding symbols, as well as the structure of a welding symbol, you'll be able to decipher even the most complex welding diagrams. 

If you're still unsure after reading this article, OpenBook™ is a free online learning resource with various modules dedicated to welding, including explanations of various welding symbols. Example modules include: 

  • Identifying weld types, positions and symbols 
  • A closer look at identifying and understanding fillet welding symbols 
  • A closer look at identifying and understanding groove welding symbols 
  • Identifying the international symbols used on welding power supplies to control the adjustments to GTAW 

Of course, you can always reach out to an expert or see ANSI/AWS A2.4, Symbols for Welding and Nondestructive Testing. 

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