Flowchart Symbols

Flowcharts use special shapes to represent different types of actions or steps in a process. Lines and arrows show the sequence of the steps, and the relationships among them. These are known as flowchart symbols.

Common Flowchart Symbols

Rectangle Shape - Process
Oval or Pill Shape - Start or End
Diamond Shape - Decision
Parallelogram - Input/Output

The type of diagram dictates the flowchart symbols that are used. For example, a data flow diagram may contain an Input/Output Symbol (also known as an I/O Symbol) represented by a parallelogram, but you wouldn't expect to see it in most process flow diagrams.

Over the years, as technology has evolved, so has flowcharting. Some flowchart symbols that were used in the past to represent computer punchcards, or punched tape, have been relegated to the dustbin of history.

What Shapes Are Used in Flowcharts

Flowcharts consist of a few common geometric shapes representing steps. The most common shape is a rectangle used to show a single action or operation.

Watch this quick video learn more about flowchart symbols.

What are the Basic Symbols of a Flowchart?

Let's go over each flowchart symbol individually.

Start/End Symbol

The terminator symbol marks the starting or ending point of the system. It usually contains the word "Start" or "End."

Action or Process Symbol

A box can represent a single step ("add two cups of flour"), or and entire sub-process ("make bread") within a larger process.

Document Symbol

A printed document or report.

Multiple Documents Symbol

Represents multiple documents in the process.

Decision Symbol

A decision or branching point. Lines representing different decisions emerge from different points of the diamond.

Input/Output Symbol

Represents material or information entering or leaving the system, such as customer order (input) or a product (output).

Manual Input Symbol

Represents a step where a user is prompted to enter information manually.

Preparation Symbol

Represents a set-up to another step in the process.

Connector Symbol

Indicates that the flow continues where a matching symbol (containing the same letter) has been placed.

Or Symbol

Indicates that the process flow continues in more than two branches.

Summoning Junction Symbol

Indicates a point in the flowchart where multiple branches converge back into a single process.

Merge Symbol

Indicates a step where two or more sub-lists or sub-processes become one.

Collate Symbol

Indicates a step that orders information into a standard format.

Sort Symbol

Indicates a step that organizes a list of items into a sequence or sets based on some pre-determined criteria.

Subroutine Symbol

Indicates a sequence of actions that perform a specific task embedded within a larger process. This sequence of actions could be described in more detail on a separate flowchart.

Manual Loop Symbol

Indicates a sequence of commands that will continue to repeat until stopped manually.

Loop Limit Symbol

Indicates the point at which a loop should stop.

Delay Symbol

Indicates a delay in the process.

Data Storage or Stored Data Symbol

Indicates a step where data gets stored.

Database Symbol

Indicates a list of information with a standard structure that allows for searching and sorting.

Internal Storage Symbol

Indicates that information was stored in memory during a program, used in software design flowcharts.

Display Symbol

Indicates a step that displays information.

Off Page

Indicates that the process continues off page.

Flowchart Symbols FAQ

In case we didn't cover what you wanted above, here are the most frequently asked questions we usually have to answer for people learning to make a flowchart for the first time.

What does a parallelogram flowchart symbol mean?

A parellelogram represents data in a flowchart. Data is either input a process requires or an output that the process hands off to the next step.

What are the types of flowchart?

The most common flowchart types are:

Process flowchart
Swimlane Flowchart
Workflow Diagram
Data Flow Diagram

EPC Diagram
SDL Diagram
Process Map
Process Flow Diagram

Read about the types of flowcharts in detail here.

What is input and output in a flowchart?

Input and output are the fundemental building blocks of a process used to describe a software program. For example, the input could be provided by a user like at an ATM machine or in a form online or it could data provided by an instrument like a temperature read. The program will have code to interpret the input and generate an output. The output could be a series of things: a message printed on a the user interface or data handed off to another process.

What are the symbols used in Data Flow Diagrams (DFD)?

There are two different types of approaches to symbols in data flow diagrams: Yourdon and Coad and Gane and Sarson.

In the Yourdon and Coad way, processes are depicted as circles, while in the Gane and Sarson diagram the processes are squares with rounded corners.

Learn more about data flow diagrams.

Quick Tips for Using Flowchart Symbols

Most of the flowchart symbols shown here are for use in very specific applications, such as a data flow diagram used for computer programming. Unless you have specialized knowledge and your diagram is being developed for a peer group with similar knowledge, it's best to stick to basic flowchart symbols. If more than the most basic flowchart symbols appear in your diagram, it is good practice to include a legend or symbol key.

Most flowcharts should be built using only the Start/End and Action or Process symbols and should follow a very basic set of best practices. Sticking with these two primary flowchart symbols is the best way to ensure that your diagram will be easy to understand.