Basic Welding Symbols Their Charts and Drawings

Welding symbols play a crucial role in bridging communication between design and execution. By using these standardized notations, designers can convey essential details about the weld directly to the welder, eliminating ambiguity and reducing the chances of error on the job.

These symbols can specify a wide range of information, including the weld’s length, depth of penetration, reinforcement height, type and size of groove, exact location, welding process, filler material, required strength, number of welds, overall shape, and even surface finish.

Instead of relying on long written explanations, all of these instructions are typically embedded within welding assembly drawings, streamlining the communication process significantly.

Think of welding symbols as a kind of technical shorthand developed specifically for welders. They help save both time and resources by ensuring that everyone involved has a clear, consistent understanding of what’s needed right from the start.

To maintain uniformity across the industry, the American Welding Society (AWS) has established a set of standardized symbols. Some of the most commonly used ones are included in this blog as reference points.

For those looking to explore this topic in more depth especially regarding how these symbols are used across manual and automated welding methods the authoritative resource is the ANSI/AWS A2.4 standard, titled Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination.

This comprehensive manual is published by the American Welding Society as part of the American National Standards.

The welding symbols and their meanings

In technical drawings where welding is involved, the entire graphical notation including numbers, lines, and symbols is referred to as a welding symbol.

These symbols are essential for illustrating how individual parts or assemblies are intended to be joined through welding. You might encounter a welding symbol in any view within a drawing, depending on where the weld is required.

When two or more components are joined together using welding, the final assembled product is known as a weldment. Within a weldment, the lines or areas where the edges and surfaces of the pieces come into contact are called joints.

Interestingly, most weldment drawings do not provide detailed visuals of how the edges should be prepared, nor do they depict the final appearance of the weld itself. What the drawing typically focuses on is how the components fit together and what kind of joint is being formed.

That said, there are exceptions. When dealing with particularly intricate or unusual weld joints, the drawing may include a detailed depiction of the joint. In such cases, you’ll often see joint preparation and weld contours clearly illustrated and dimensioned.

A complete welding symbol serves as a compact yet comprehensive guide, offering all the critical information needed to execute the weld correctly on a specific joint. It’s important to note that each welding symbol applies to one specific joint and remains relevant only until that joint changes direction.

Welding symbols may include a range of details, such as:

• The specific type of weld required.
• The edge preparation needed before welding.
• The precise location where the weld is to be applied.
• The welding process to be used (e.g., MIG, TIG, Stick).
• The dimensions or size of the weld.
• The desired shape of the weld face.
• Any post-weld finishing instructions, such as grinding or contouring.

In addition, dimensions in a welding symbol can be presented in either SI (metric) or US customary units, depending on the drafting standards in use.

Related Post: What is Welding?

The structure of the welding symbol

When it comes to reading welding symbols, everything starts with a simple but essential foundation: a reference line that ends with an arrow.

This arrow isn’t just for show it specifically points to the exact spot on the joint where the weld needs to be applied. Depending on where the instructions appear (above or below the reference line), they indicate the type of weld that’s required.

But that’s not all. A proper welding symbol typically includes additional details to guide the welder more precisely.

These can range from how the weld surface should be contoured, to the bead’s size and length, to the required finishing technique for the weld. In many cases, it even outlines the specific welding process to be used.

To keep all this information organized, welding symbols use a mix of geometric shapes, numbers, and standardized abbreviations.

At its core, the basic welding symbol is made up of three key components:

• The arrow,
• The reference line, and
• The tail.

These three elements make up the simplest structure of a welding symbol. Together, they form the starting point for conveying all the necessary welding instructions.

These three elements are the most straightforward representation of a welding symbol, and each has a unique role that affects the finished weld, so let’s closely explain what they mean and do.

The arrow

The arrow in a welding symbol plays a vital role, serving as the link between the reference line and the specific joint where the weld is required.

It quite literally points to the exact spot on the drawing where welding work should take place. If you’ve worked with blueprints before, you might notice the arrow resembles a leader line because in many ways, it functions the same.

Think of the arrow as a visual cue saying, “Weld goes here.” No matter how many types of welds or how many passes are indicated in the symbol, there’s always just one arrow. Its job is to anchor the instruction to the correct location on the joint nothing more, nothing less.

Reference line

The reference line in welding notation functions as the central element around which all welding symbols and specifications are organized.

Despite its simplicity, this horizontal line communicates critical details such as joint configuration, welding pattern, weld dimensions, and other essential parameters.

Its role becomes especially important when both sides of a joint require different treatments. In such cases, the reference line helps streamline communication by reducing the need to overload a single joint with numerous welding symbols.

You can think of the reference line much like a ruled line on a blank page it provides a structured space where designers can visually communicate their intentions.

This may include specifications for joint design, welding technique, bevel angles, weld sizes and profiles, penetration depth, number of welds, spacing between them, and more.

Rather than relying on lengthy textual explanations, engineers use a system of standardized welding symbols placed along the reference line to convey this information clearly and efficiently.

In addition to technical specifications, the reference line also indicates the side of the joint where the weld is to be applied.

For more complex operations involving multiple welding passes or processes, multiple reference lines may appear in the drawing. Each line corresponds to a specific stage in the weld sequence.

Typically, in such multi pass weld symbols, the line closest to the arrow represents the initial operation or first pass. Any lines above it refer to subsequent weld passes, each with its own set of instructions or variables.

The Tail

The tail represents the final element of a welding symbol and is positioned at the end of the reference line, directly opposite the arrow.

While it may appear to be a structural component of the symbol, its primary purpose is to convey additional information that doesn’t fit elsewhere in the standard format.

Welding professionals often use the tail to communicate extra details that are essential for executing the weld correctly. This might include specifications about the welding process to be used, references to technical documents, details about the type of electrode, or guidelines for inspection and testing.

However, the tail isn’t always necessary. When the weld required is relatively simple or straightforward, the welding engineer may choose to leave it out altogether.

Omitting it in such cases helps avoid clutter and minimizes potential confusion especially when working with already complex welding symbols.

Numbers In The Welding Symbols

Numbers play a vital role in interpreting weld symbols, as they convey key details such as weld size, length, spacing, bevel angles, root dimensions, and more. However, their meaning can vary significantly depending on where they appear within the symbol.

To truly grasp how these numbers function, it’s helpful to refer to the illustration at the beginning of our blog post, which lays out the placement of various elements in a weld symbol. That visual acts as a guide for reading the numbers correctly.

Starting near the tail of the weld symbol, you’ll typically find a number labeled (S). This figure indicates the size of the weld, the depth of bevel, or, in some cases, the required weld strength. These dimensions are critical they directly impact the joint’s ability to bear load safely.

Positioned between the weld size and the main weld symbol, another number marked as (E) represents the depth of penetration in groove welds. It tells the welder how deep the weld must fuse into the base material.

If the weld isn’t required to run along the full length of a joint, you’ll often see a number between the arrow and the weld symbol itself. These values are essential for controlling the distribution of welds.

Closer to the arrow, the number labeled (P) shows the pitch, or the center to center spacing, between welds when multiple welds are applied along the joint. Right alongside it, the number (L) specifies the actual length of each weld.

In the case of groove welds with root openings, engineers may include additional numbers to indicate either the root opening size or the angle of the groove.

For instance, the number (R) placed near the groove symbol tells us the root size or the depth of metal filling in plug and slot welds.

Above or below the groove size, depending on which side of the joint the weld is located, you’ll often find a number labeled (A), which refers to the groove angle.

Lastly, when dealing with spot, seam, projection, or slot welds, a number (N) may appear on the arrow side of the reference line. This value indicates how many of these welds are required along the joint.

Weld Location

In welding design, symbols are placed on a horizontal reference line, which serves as the foundation for communicating weld details. Each reference line is associated with an arrow that points to the joint where the weld is to be made.

This arrow helps distinguish between two sides of the joint commonly referred to as the arrow side (the side the arrow points to) and the other side (the opposite surface). In some cases, the weld may apply to both sides.

To show where a weld should be applied, the drawing includes an arrow line extending from the reference line toward the joint. This arrow can point in any direction upward or downward and can be attached to either end of the reference line, depending on the joint’s layout.

When reviewing the drawing of a welded component, you’ll notice that the arrow always touches the part of the base metal that needs to be welded. This physical contact indicates the arrow side. The surface on the opposite side of the joint is what we refer to as the other side.

Since many weldments are positioned in ways that make directional terms like “top,” “bottom,” “inside,” or “outside” unclear or irrelevant, using arrow side and other side simplifies things significantly. These terms eliminate confusion and provide a clear point of reference.

On the welding symbol itself, any information related to the weld on the arrow side is shown below the reference line. Conversely, details for the other side are shown above the line.

It’s worth noting that placing the welding symbol directly on the side to be welded isn’t always feasible.

In complex or crowded drawings, space limitations often make it necessary to position the symbol elsewhere. Still, the arrow and reference line maintain clarity about where the weld should be applied.

When a weld is required on the arrow side of a joint (the side closer to the viewer), the appropriate weld symbol is placed below the reference line this can be seen in Figure A. In contrast, if the weld is to be made on the opposite side of the joint (the far side), then the weld symbol appears above the reference line, as illustrated in Figure B.

In cases where welds are needed on both sides of the joint, the weld symbol is shown on both the top and bottom of the reference line. Examples of this can be found in Figures C and D.

Additionally, when a weld is intended to be applied completely around the joint, an open circle is added at the point where the arrow meets the reference line. This symbol signals the requirement for an all-around weld, as demonstrated in the following example.

When extra details about how a weld should be made are required like specific procedures, materials, or techniques a tail is added to the standard welding symbol. This tail serves as a space to include important instructions that help ensure the weld is done correctly.

In many cases, the tail might include information such as the welding process to be followed, the type of filler metal to use, or whether operations like root chipping or peeling are necessary. Basically, it’s there to communicate any additional notes that aren’t already covered by the main symbol.

However, if there’s nothing extra to mention, then there’s no need to include the tail at all it’s simply left out. And in situations where more than one type of weld is needed for the same joint, a separate symbol is used to represent each of those welds.

Basic Welding Symbols Charts

Weld symbols play a crucial role in communicating the specifics of welding operations in metal fabrication. They indicate not just the type of welding process being used, but also whether the weld is intended to be applied at a single location or continued “all around” the joint.

In addition, these symbols specify if the weld is to be completed in the shop or out in the field, as well as the desired final contour of the weld.

There are several foundational weld symbols commonly used across various welding techniques. These include symbols for arc welding, gas welding, resistance welding, brazing, forge welding, thermit welding, induction welding, and flow welding.

Each of these symbols serves as a visual shorthand, helping engineers and fabricators quickly understand the welding requirements. A summary and illustration of these symbols are typically provided in welding standards and technical documents.

Types of welds and their symbols

Each type of weld is represented by a distinct basic symbol, typically positioned near the center of the reference line. Its placement either above or below the line indicates which side of the joint the weld applies to.

These symbols are essentially simplified sketches, often resembling a cross-sectional view of the intended weld.

In the following descriptions, each symbol is illustrated in both its arrow-side and opposite-side positions for clarity.

#1. Fillet welds Symbols.

A fillet weld typically has a roughly triangular profile and is commonly used to connect lap joints, tee joints, or corner joints where the parts meet at approximately a right angle.

In this type of weld, molten filler metal is placed into the corner created by the intersection of the two workpieces. As it solidifies, the weld metal penetrates into and fuses with the base materials, forming a solid, continuous joint.

(Note: For simplicity and visual clarity, illustrations often omit the depiction of weld metal penetration. That said, it’s important to understand that the depth of penetration plays a crucial role in assessing the strength and quality of a weld.)

When reading weld symbols, you’ll notice that the vertical leg of the triangular weld symbol is always shown on the left side, no matter how the actual weld is oriented in the physical joint.

The size of the weld leg is indicated by a number to the left of the weld symbol. If both legs are intended to be the same size which is typically the case only a single dimension is provided.

In the less common case of unequal leg lengths, both measurements will be shown, and the drawing will specify which leg is longer.

The length of a weld is typically indicated to the right of the welding symbol. If no specific length is mentioned, it’s understood that the weld should extend across the area defined by dimension lines if those are provided or continue up to points where the weld direction clearly changes, such as at the end of a plate, as illustrated in the earlier example.

In the case of intermittent welds, both the length of each individual weld segment and the spacing between them are shown. These two values are separated by a dash, with the weld length written first, followed by the spacing. This information also appears 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.

Unequal Leg Fillet Welds.

Sometimes, a fillet weld needs to have legs of different lengths. When that’s the case, the specific sizes of each leg are indicated on the welding symbol these measurements are placed in parentheses, just to the left of the weld symbol.

But here’s the catch: the welding symbol alone doesn’t tell you which leg corresponds to which size. To figure that out, you’ll need to refer to a detail drawing of the weld joint or look for other clues in the documentation.

For instance, if one side of the joint clearly requires a longer leg based on structural needs or design specs, that’s usually a good indicator of how to interpret the symbol.

#2. Groove welds Symbols.

Groove welds are widely used for creating edge-to-edge joints, though they’re also quite common in corner joints, T-joints, and in situations where curved pieces need to be joined to flat ones.

There are several types of groove welds, as reflected by the range of symbols used to represent them. These variations mainly come down to the shapes of the parts being joined and how their edges are prepared before welding.

During the welding process, filler metal is applied into the groove. This molten weld metal then melts into and bonds with the base material, forming a solid, unified joint.

A quick note: The illustrations you might see often leave out details about how deeply the weld penetrates the base metal. That’s done just to keep the diagrams clear and easy to read. But in real world welding, penetration is a big deal—it plays a key role in how strong and reliable the final weld actually is.

The various types of groove welds are:

Square groove welds

A groove is formed either when the edges fit closely together or when there’s a small gap between them. If there is any separation at all, its precise size is usually specified in the weld symbol.

V-groove welds

The edges of the two components are typically chamfered either on one side or both to form a groove suitable for welding. The weld symbol specifies the angle of the V-shaped groove, as well as any root gap that may be required.

When the V-groove doesn’t extend through the full thickness of the material or only halfway in the case of a double-V joint the specific depth of the groove is noted to the left of the weld symbol.

When the weld needs to penetrate deeper than the actual groove depth, the effective throat depth is specified in parentheses, following the indicated depth of the V-groove.

Bevel groove welds

When preparing a joint where one edge is chamfered and the other remains square, it’s important to note that the bevel symbol is always drawn with its vertical line on the left side this holds true regardless of how the weld is oriented on the drawing.

To indicate which piece should be chamfered, the arrow on the welding symbol will point directly to it. This intent is often made even clearer by adding a break in the arrow line.

However, this break isn’t mandatory. If the designer doesn’t specify a preference, or if it’s assumed that a qualified welder would clearly understand which edge needs to be treated, the break can be omitted.

Details such as the angle and depth of the chamfer, the effective throat of the weld, and the root opening are conveyed in the same way they are for V-groove welds, following standard notation practices.

U-groove welds

Both components feature concave edge preparation. The depth of this edge treatment, the effective throat dimension, and the root gap are defined in line with the principles outlined earlier in the V-groove section.

J-groove welds

In this configuration, one piece features a concave edge preparation, while the mating piece retains a square edge. This setup serves a similar role for U-groove welds as the bevel groove weld does for V-groove welds.

Just like with a bevel, the perpendicular reference line is consistently placed on the left hand side, and the arrow complete with a break if needed indicates the component where the edge preparation is to be applied.

When it comes to specifying the depth of the edge treatment, the effective throat, and the root separation, these elements are illustrated using the same approach outlined in the section on V-groove welds.

Flare-V groove welds

This type of weld is typically used when connecting two curved or rounded components. On welding diagrams, the specified depth of the weld is usually indicated to the left of the symbol, while the actual weld penetration is shown in parentheses.

Flare bevel groove weld

This type of weld is commonly applied when connecting a curved or rounded component to a flat surface. Similar to the flare-V weld, both the groove depth created by the meeting of the two curved surfaces and the intended weld depth are specified to the left of the weld symbol. Notably, the actual depth of the weld is enclosed in parentheses.

Regardless of how the weld is positioned in the real world application, the vertical reference line in the welding symbol is consistently placed on the left side. This standard holds true across all orientations of the weld.

#3. Plug and slot welds Symbols.

Sometimes, it’s necessary to join two metal components at interior points rather than along their edges. In such cases, a hole is made in one of the parts, and the weld is applied through that hole to secure both pieces together.

While these holes are typically circular, they don’t have to be they can be shaped differently depending on the design or function. Methods for creating the holes vary as well; they might be drilled, flame-cut, or precisely machined, depending on the required accuracy and material type.

During the welding process, molten weld metal is deposited into the hole, bonding with the surrounding base metal of both components to create a strong joint.

When the hole is circular, this type of weld is referred to as a plug weld. If the hole has an elongated or irregular shape, it’s classified as a slot weld. The specific size of a plug weld is indicated just to the left of its weld symbol on technical drawings.

For both plug and slot welds, the hole edges can be countersunk (angled inward), and when that’s the case, the angle of the countersink is shown next to the weld symbol. Additionally, the weld depth is marked inside the symbol itself.

Assembly drawings provide more detailed placement information. For plug welds, the drawing will show exactly where the welds should be located.

For slot welds, details like the length and width of the slots, the countersink angle, and the spacing between slots (if multiple are used) are also provided but not on the basic weld symbol. These measurements are always part of the full assembly specification.

In cases where multiple plug or slot welds are arranged in a series, their pitch meaning the center to center spacing is noted to the right of the weld symbol.

• The diameter or overall size is typically shown to the left of the symbol (A), making it easy to identify at a glance.
• If the hole’s sides aren’t perfectly square, the angle is usually noted just above the symbol (B).
• When the buildup doesn’t sit completely flush with the surface, its depth is indicated within the symbol itself (C).
• Lastly, the center to center spacing often referred to as the pitch is positioned to the right of the symbol (D), helping to clarify how features are spaced out.

#4. Spot welds Symbols.

A spot weld is a technique used to join two or more metal pieces, typically away from the edges of the components. This method often involves overlapping the parts in a lap joint configuration. The actual weld is applied at the points where the surfaces come into direct contact.

Unlike some other welding methods, spot welding doesn’t require any holes or slots to be cut into the materials being joined. One common approach is resistance spot welding, where the weld is formed through the application of pressure and electrical current.

Alternatively, the weld can also be made from one side by melting through the top panel and partially into the one beneath it.

In welding diagrams, the symbol for a spot weld is a small circle. This circle might appear on either side of the reference line, or it could sit right across it.

If the weld is intended to be made from the arrow side, then the symbol should be placed below the reference line consistent with standard practice for interpreting welding symbols.

When spot welding is required on both sides of a joint such as in resistance spot welding the welding symbol is shown with a circle that straddles the reference line. In contrast, projection welding involves small raised areas (or projections) on one of the metal pieces being joined.

To indicate which piece contains these projections, the welding symbol uses the position of the circle relative to the reference line: it will appear either above or below it, depending on the specific configuration.

A proper welding symbol for a spot weld typically provides four key details: the size of the weld, its strength, the spacing between welds, and the total number of welds required.

The weld size is noted to the left of the spot weld symbol. If strength is also a factor that needs to be specified, it too will appear on the left side of the symbol. This value represents the force the weld is designed to withstand, and it’s usually expressed in pounds or newtons per individual spot.

#5. Seam Welds Symbols.

Seam welding is another commonly used technique for joining two or more metal components. In this method, the parts are typically arranged in either a lap joint or a butt joint configuration. Unlike some other welding processes, there’s no need to create holes or slots in the materials being joined.

One way to perform a seam weld is through resistance seam welding, where the weld is produced by applying pressure and passing current through the materials.

Alternatively, the weld can be achieved from one side only, by melting through the surface of the first piece and continuing into the second piece to form a solid bond.

When it comes to welding symbols, if the joint is welded from both sides as is often the case in resistance seam welding the symbol is placed across the reference line, indicating the weld occurs on both faces of the joint.

In seam welding, symbols are positioned either above or below the reference line to indicate the side of the part from which the weld should be applied. This placement is essential for guiding the welder accurately during fabrication.

The specific welding process intended for the operation is noted in the tail of the welding symbol. To the left of the weld symbol, you’ll typically find information about the weld’s width and its required strength.

The strength is usually expressed in pounds per linear inch (PLI) or, alternatively, in newtons per millimeter (N/mm). If the seam’s length needs to be specified, it is placed to the right of the weld symbol.

#6. Field Weld Symbol.

When a weld is intended to be completed on site rather than in a fabrication shop or during the initial construction phase it is indicated by a filled triangular flag placed at the intersection of the reference line and the arrow in welding symbols. Notably, this flag always points back toward the tail end of the reference line.

#7. Surface Contour of Welds.

When the shape of the weld bead is critical, specific contour symbols such as flat, concave, or convex are included in the welding symbol to indicate the desired finish. In cases where the weld is expected to be mechanically finished, a finishing symbol is also added alongside the contour symbol to provide clear instructions.

#8. Back Weld and Backing Weld Symbol.

A back weld and a backing weld both involve welding on the reverse side of a joint, but there’s a key difference in when and why they’re applied. A back weld is typically added after the main groove weld has been completed.

Its main purpose is to ensure the weld has fully penetrated the joint and, in some cases, to add extra strength where needed. Engineers or inspectors might call for a back weld if there’s concern about the integrity of the original weld, especially in critical applications.

You’ll often find this specific symbol placed on the opposite side of the main weld symbol. Its purpose is to indicate a backing weld, which is applied before the main groove weld.

The idea behind this is to control how much the weld metal penetrates basically, to stop it from going too deep.

When it comes to the welding symbol itself, you won’t see much in terms of dimensions for the back or backing welds. The only detail typically included is the height of the reinforcement.

#9. Melt-Thru Weld Symbols.

When a weld is made from only one side but full joint penetration is necessary, a specific weld symbol known as the melt through symbol is used. This symbol is placed on the side opposite the standard weld symbol to indicate the requirement.

Typically, the welding symbol doesn’t provide detailed dimensions for the melt-through itself only the height of the reinforcement is specified.

#10. Surfacing Weld Symbols.

When a surface needs to be built up using either a single-pass or multiple pass welding technique, it’s identified with what’s known as a surfacing weld symbol. To indicate how much the surface should be built up, a numerical value is placed to the left side of the symbol, specifying the required height.

In addition to that, the drawing typically provides clear details about where the buildup is needed, how much of the surface should be covered, and the orientation of the area that’s being worked on.

#11. Weld All Around.

When a specification calls for a weld to be made “all around,” it means that the weld must completely surround the joint, covering it from every side.

This ensures that the entire perimeter of the joint is securely fused. However, in situations involving circular joints where the geometry naturally promotes a continuous connection the “weld all around” symbol isn’t necessary, since the shape itself implies complete coverage.

As for the symbol used to indicate an all-around weld, it takes the form of a small circle. This circle is placed precisely at the point where the reference line intersects with the arrow, visually signaling that the weld should go fully around the joint.

#12. Intermittent Welds.

An intermittent weld often referred to as a skip weld is a welding technique where a series of short welds are applied along a joint, leaving gaps of unwelded space between them.

Rather than forming one continuous weld, this method uses several smaller segments spaced out along the length of the joint.

Each of these weld segments has two key characteristics: length and pitch. The length refers to how long each individual weld segment is, measured in a straight line. On a welding symbol, you’ll find this length indicated just to the right of the weld symbol itself.

The pitch, on the other hand, is the distance from the center of one weld segment to the center of the next. This is also shown on the welding symbol—placed to the right of the length value and separated by a dash.

When intermittent welds are applied on both sides of a joint, they can be arranged in one of two ways. If the welds on one side are directly aligned with those on the opposite side, it’s called a chain intermittent weld. But if the welds are offset from one another on each side, the layout is known as a staggered intermittent weld.

#14. Edge Welds.

The welding symbol used for an edge weld typically includes the basic edge weld symbol itself, along with additional details when necessary. These details can include specifications such as the weld’s size, its total length, the spacing between welds (pitch), the desired contour, and the method used to achieve the final finish.

When the size of an edge weld is mentioned, it specifically refers to the throat dimension that is, the distance from the weld’s root up to its face. This measurement plays a key role in determining the strength and integrity of the weld.

The accompanying figure illustrates a complete edge weld symbol, showcasing all the optional elements that may be included to convey precise welding requirements.

#15. Stud Welds.

The fundamental details regarding stud welds are conveyed through the welding symbol illustrated in the corresponding figure.

When more specific information about the stud is required such as its size, material, or type it is typically provided through supplementary methods. These may include annotations, references in the bill of materials, or specifications noted in the tail of the welding symbol.

#16. Finish Symbols.

When a finish symbol is placed next to a contour symbol, it indicates the specific method used to create that contour. These finish symbols are represented by letters, each standing for a particular technique. Here’s a breakdown of what each letter signifies:

• U = Unspecified This simply means that there’s no strict requirement any suitable method can be used to achieve the contour.
• G = Grinding This method involves using abrasive tools to smooth or shape the surface.
• M = Machining Machining typically refers to shaping material using tools like lathes, mills, or drills.
• C = Chipping Chipping is the process of manually removing material, often using chisels or similar tools.
• R = Rolling Rolling involves compressing the material between rollers to achieve the desired shape or finish.
• H = Hammering Hammering, often done by hand or machine, is used to shape or flatten material through repeated impact.
• P = Planishing Planishing is a fine finishing technique, usually done with a hammer or press, to smooth out the surface after rough shaping.

welding symbols chart

For more information, see ANSI/AWS A2.4, Symbols for Welding, and Nondestructive Testing.

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