1.

Elementary Symbols
The symbols shown below are some of the symbols given in the Standard

Designation Illustration Symbol

square butt weld

single-V butt weld

single-bevel butt weld

single-V butt weld with broad root face

single-bevel butt weld with broad root face

single-U butt weld

single-J butt weld

backing run (USA - back or backing weld)

fillet weld

plug weld (USA - slot or plug weld)

spot weld (resistance welding)

edge weld

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2. Combinations of Elementary Symbols
Elementary symbols are combined for welding from both sides – as shown below

Designation Illustration Symbol

double-V butt weld (X weld)

double-bevel butt weld

double-V butt weld with broad root face

double-bevel butt weld with broad root face

double-U butt weld

3. Supplementary Symbols
Elementary symbols may be supplemented by a symbol characterising the shape of the external
surface, or shape of the weld.

Note
The absence of a supplementary symbol means that the shape of the weld surface does not
need to be indicated precisely.

Shape of weld surface or weld Symbol

flat (usually finished flush)

convex

concave

toes shall be blended smooth

permanent backing strip used M

removable backing strip used MR

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4. Method of Representation
To specify a weld detail it is necessary to show a weld symbol together with: -

 an arrow line – completed by an arrow head

 two reference lines consisting of:-
one continuous line
one dashed line * (* see exception below)

The arrow line joins one end of the continuous reference line to form an angle with it.

3 2a 1 = arrow line
2a = reference line (continuous line)
2b = identification line (dashed line)
3 = welding symbol
1 2b

joint

5. Position of continuous line & dashed line

The dashed line can be drawn either above, or beneath, the continuous line – as shown

or

6. Relationship between the arrow line and the joint

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 Figures below show the meaning of the ‘arrow side’ of the joint and the ‘other side’ of the joint

arrow line
‘arrow side’ ‘other side’

‘other side’ ‘arrow side’

arrow line

‘other side’ ‘arrow side’ ‘arrow side’ ‘other side’

arrow line arrow line

‘other side’ ‘arrow side’

of joint A ‘other side’ ‘arrow side’
of joint A of joint B
of joint A

arrow line arrow line

joint A
joint B
joint A

joint B

7. Position of the arrow line

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 The position of the arrow line with respect to the weld is no special significance except for
single bevel or single-J welds. For these, arrow line has to point to the plate that is prepared.

This same detail can be indicated by moving the position of the dashed line (other side) – as
shown below: -

8. Position of the symbol with respect to the reference line

The symbol is placed either above or beneath the reference line as follows: -

 The symbol is placed on the continuous line side of the reference line if the weld
(weld face) is on the arrow side of the joint
 The symbol is placed on the dashed line side if the weld (weld face) is on the other
side of the joint

This is illustrated below: -

To be welded on the arrow side To be welded on the other side

Note
For symmetrical welds, the dashed line is unnecessary - & should be omitted – as shown.

9. Specifying the Dimensions of Welds

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 Weld cross-section dimensions
These are written on the left-hand side of the symbol (before the symbol) and certain letters are
used to indicate particular dimensions, namely: -

s s
s = depth of penetration

Butt welds are to have complete penetration unless the symbol shows a penetration depth

a = throat thickness (of a fillet weld)

Z = leg length (of a fillet weld)

Z

s can also be used to show the depth of penetration required for a deep penetration
fillet weld: -

Weld length dimensions

These are written on the right-hand side of the symbol (after the symbol)

A 300mm long fillet weld with an 8mm leg would be shown as follows: -

Z8 300

An intermittent fillet weld would be shown as follows: -

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 l length of weld
l l
(e)
(e) distance between weld lengths

n number of weld elements

a n x l x (e)
Z n x l x (e)

(for a fillet with a

(for a fillet with a
specified leg length)
specified throat thickness)

A staggered intermittent fillet weld would be indicated as below: -

l l l
(e) (e)
Z nxl (e)
Z nxl (e)

(e) l (e) l (e)

Note
The dashed line is omitted to indicate
that it is a symmetrical weld (fillet size
the same on arrow side & other side)

Other weld dimension indicators

c = width of slot (for a plug or slot weld) c nxl(e)

width of weld (for a resistance seam weld) c nxl(e)

n(e)
d = diameter of hole (plug weld) d

diameter of spot (spot weld) d n(e)

10. Complementary indications

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Peripheral welds
When a weld has to be made all round a part, the symbol is a circle – as shown below

Z8

8mm leg fillet weld all round

Field or site welds

A flag is used to indicate a field or site weld – as shown below

Indication of the welding process

If required, the welding process is shown by a number written between the two branches of an open
fork, at the end of the reference line – as shown below

ISO 4063 gives the numbers allocated

111 for each welding process, e.g.,
MMA
SAW
135 MAG
141 TIG

Sequence of information in the tail of the reference line

Further information can be added to the open tail of the reference line but it should be added in the
following order (and each one separated by a line)

 welding process (to ISO 4063)

 acceptance level (to ISO 5817)
 working (welding) position (to ISO 6947)
 filler materials (to ISO 544, ISO 2560, ISO 3581)

In addition, a closed tail can be used which indicates a specific instruction, e.g., a procedure sheet –
as shown
WPS 777