Flowchart Symbols and Their Meanings: A Complete Guide

Flowcharts are visual representations of a process, system, or algorithm. They use different symbols to depict various steps and decisions, connected by arrows indicating the flow of activity. Understanding these symbols is crucial for creating and interpreting flowcharts effectively. This guide will walk you through the most common flowchart symbols and their meanings, empowering you to create clear, concise, and accurate diagrams.

Flowcharts are used in a wide range of fields, from software development and business process management to education and manufacturing. They help to:

Visualise complex processes: Break down complicated tasks into manageable steps.
Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies: Pinpoint areas where processes can be improved.
Improve communication: Provide a clear and consistent way to communicate processes to others.
Document processes: Create a record of how a process works.
Aid in problem-solving: Help to analyse and understand problems by mapping out the related processes.

Let's dive into the specific symbols you'll encounter when creating flowcharts.

Process Symbol

The process symbol, represented by a rectangle, is the most common symbol in a flowchart. It indicates a specific action or activity that needs to be performed. The description of the action should be written inside the rectangle.

Shape: Rectangle
Meaning: Represents a process, task, or action.
Example: "Calculate total cost", "Send email notification", "Update database".

How to Use the Process Symbol:

Identify each individual action within the process you are mapping.

Draw a rectangle for each action.

Write a brief, clear description of the action inside the rectangle. Use action verbs to clearly define the step.

Connect the process symbols with arrows to show the sequence of actions.

For example, in a flowchart describing an order processing system, you might use process symbols for actions like "Receive Order", "Verify Payment", "Ship Order", and "Update Inventory".

Decision Symbol

The decision symbol, represented by a diamond, indicates a point in the process where a decision needs to be made. The decision typically involves a question with two or more possible answers, leading to different paths in the flowchart. The question should be written inside the diamond, and the possible answers (e.g., "Yes" or "No") should be labeled on the arrows leading out of the diamond.

Shape: Diamond
Meaning: Represents a decision point or question.
Example: "Is the order total over $100?", "Is the product in stock?", "Did the customer provide feedback?".

How to Use the Decision Symbol:

Identify points in the process where a decision is required.

Draw a diamond for each decision point.

Write a clear question inside the diamond.

Draw arrows leading out of the diamond for each possible answer. Label each arrow with the corresponding answer (e.g., "Yes", "No", "True", "False").

Connect the arrows to the next appropriate symbol in the flowchart, based on the outcome of the decision.
For instance, in a flowchart for a software login process, a decision symbol might be used to ask "Is the password correct?". If the answer is "Yes", the flowchart would proceed to grant access. If the answer is "No", the flowchart might loop back to prompt the user to re-enter the password or display an error message. Understanding frequently asked questions can help in designing effective decision points.
Start/End Symbol
The start/end symbol, often represented by an oval or rounded rectangle, indicates the beginning and the end of the flowchart. A flowchart should have one start symbol and at least one end symbol (though complex processes may have multiple end points).

Shape: Oval or rounded rectangle
Meaning: Represents the start or end of a process.
Example: "Start", "End", "Begin", "Stop".

How to Use the Start/End Symbol:

Place a start symbol at the beginning of the flowchart, labeled "Start" or "Begin".

Place an end symbol at the end of the flowchart, labeled "End" or "Stop".

For processes with multiple possible outcomes, you may use multiple end symbols to indicate different ending states.

The start symbol has only one outgoing arrow, indicating the first step in the process. The end symbol has only one incoming arrow, indicating the final step. These symbols provide clear boundaries for the flowchart, making it easy to understand the scope of the process being represented. You can learn more about Flowcharts on our website.

Input/Output Symbol

The input/output symbol, represented by a parallelogram, indicates that data is being either entered into the process (input) or displayed or communicated from the process (output). This symbol is used to represent actions such as receiving data from a user, reading data from a file, or displaying results to the user.

Shape: Parallelogram
Meaning: Represents an input or output operation.
Example: "Enter customer name", "Display order confirmation", "Read data from file", "Print report".

How to Use the Input/Output Symbol:

Identify points in the process where data is being received or sent.

Draw a parallelogram for each input or output operation.

Write a brief description of the input or output inside the parallelogram.

Connect the input/output symbols with arrows to show the flow of data.
For example, in a flowchart for a program that calculates the area of a rectangle, an input symbol might be used to represent the user entering the length and width. An output symbol might be used to represent the program displaying the calculated area. Consider what Flowcharts offers to help streamline your diagramming process.
Delay Symbol
The delay symbol, represented by a D-shaped figure, indicates a waiting period or a delay in the process. This symbol is useful for representing situations where the process is temporarily paused, such as waiting for a response, a resource to become available, or a specific time to elapse.

Shape: D-shape (flat edge on the left)
Meaning: Represents a delay or waiting period.
Example: "Wait for approval", "Delay 5 minutes", "Waiting for response from server".

How to Use the Delay Symbol:

Identify points in the process where there is a delay or waiting period.

Draw a D-shaped symbol at the point of the delay.

Write a brief description of the reason for the delay or the duration of the delay inside the symbol.

Connect the delay symbol with arrows to show the flow of the process before and after the delay.

For example, in a flowchart for a shipping process, a delay symbol might be used to represent the time it takes for a package to be delivered. In a software installation process, it could represent the time spent waiting for files to download.

Connector Symbol

The connector symbol, represented by a small circle, is used to connect different parts of a flowchart, especially when the flowchart spans multiple pages or when the flow lines would otherwise cross and become difficult to follow. Connectors help to maintain clarity and readability in complex flowcharts.

Shape: Circle
Meaning: Represents a jump from one point in the flowchart to another.
Example: Use a connector labeled "A" to connect to another connector also labeled "A" on a different part of the flowchart.

How to Use the Connector Symbol:

Identify points in the flowchart where you need to connect to another part of the flowchart.

Draw a small circle at each connection point.

Assign a unique label (e.g., a letter or number) to each pair of connectors that are linked together. Use the same label for both the connector you are jumping from and the connector you are jumping to*.

Connect the connector symbols with arrows to show the flow of the process.

For example, if a flowchart is too large to fit on a single page, you can use connectors to continue the flow on the next page. You would place a connector at the end of the first page and another connector with the same label at the beginning of the second page. This indicates that the process continues from the first connector to the second connector. Understanding and using connectors effectively can greatly improve the readability of your flowcharts.

By understanding and using these common flowchart symbols correctly, you can create clear, concise, and effective diagrams that accurately represent processes, systems, and algorithms. Remember to always use the correct symbol for the intended purpose and to label each symbol clearly and concisely. With practice, you'll become proficient in creating flowcharts that are valuable tools for communication, documentation, and problem-solving.

Flowchart Symbols and Their Meanings: A Complete Guide