Flowchart symbols and their meaning
Ten shapes do almost all the work in a flowchart. Tap a cut-out in the stencil to see what it means, when to use it, and where it shows up in a real chart.
Interactive symbol stencil
Decision
Diamond, condition, branch
Means: A question with two or more answers, each leading somewhere different.
Use it for: Phrase it as a question and label every outgoing arrow (Yes / No, or the options).
Example labels: “Payment approved?”, “Is i ≤ N?”.
Common mistake: Unlabelled arrows out of a diamond. The reader has to guess which way is “yes”.
In FlowBuilder: Payment approved?
Mermaid: C{"Payment approved?"}
The highlighted boxes use the decision symbol.
All flowchart symbols at a glance
| Symbol | Name | Meaning | Type in FlowBuilder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminator | Where the flow begins and where it stops. | Start (or End, Done, Stop) | |
| Process | One action or operation that someone or something does. | Send invoice | |
| Decision | A question with two or more answers, each leading somewhere different. | Payment approved? | |
| Input / Output | Data coming into the process or results going out. | [input] Enter PIN | |
| Document | A document or report that is created, read or signed. | [doc] Signed contract | |
| Database | Data kept in a database or storage system. | [db] Save the order | |
| Predefined process | A step that is described in detail in another flowchart. | [sub] Run credit check | |
| Manual input | Someone types or enters information by hand. | [manual] Type address | |
| Delay | A planned wait before the next step can happen. | [delay] Wait 24 hours | |
| On-page connector | Joins two parts of a chart without drawing a long line across it. | -> Name of an earlier step | |
| Flow line (arrow) | The order of steps. Label it when it leaves a decision. | New line = new arrow |
Rules that keep a flowchart readable
- Flow top to bottom or left to right. Only loops should go back up.
- One entry, clear exits. A single Start; an End for each real outcome.
- Verbs in process boxes, questions in diamonds. “Check stock”, then “In stock?”.
- Label every arrow out of a decision. Unlabelled branches are the most common flowchart error.
- Use the basic four shapes unless a special one adds meaning. A chart full of rare symbols needs a legend nobody reads.
Ready to use them? Type your steps in the flowchart maker, where the shape tags in the table above pick the symbol for you, or start from one of the flowchart templates.
Questions people ask
What are the basic flowchart symbols?
Four shapes cover most charts: the oval terminator (start/end), the rectangle (a process step), the diamond (a decision) and the parallelogram (input or output). Arrows, called flow lines, connect them and show the order.
What does a diamond mean in a flowchart?
A decision: a question with two or more possible answers, such as “Is the payment approved?”. Each arrow leaving the diamond is labelled with an answer (usually Yes and No).
What does a parallelogram mean in a flowchart?
Input or output: data entering the process (a user typing a value, reading a file) or leaving it (printing, displaying, sending a result).
What is the oval shape called?
The terminator. It marks where the process starts and where it ends. Some people call it the “pill” or “start/end” shape.
Is there an official standard for flowchart symbols?
Yes. ISO 5807:1985 (originally ANSI X3.5 from 1970) defines symbols for program and system flowcharts. Most business and school flowcharts use a subset of it, which is what this page covers.
What do the arrows mean?
Flow lines show the order in which steps happen. By convention, flow goes top to bottom and left to right; add arrowheads whenever the direction is not obvious, and always on lines going back up (loops).