Overview - ISO 80416-2:2001 (Form and use of arrows)
ISO 80416-2:2001 is part of the ISO 80416 series on basic principles for graphical symbols for use on equipment. This part defines the form, proportions and application of arrows as graphical symbols or symbol elements. It standardizes arrow heads, angles and their meanings to ensure clarity, consistency and legibility of equipment symbols used on control panels, machinery, instruments and technical documentation.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Basic principle: Arrow heads indicate the point where a force or dimension applies and show the direction of physical or functional movement. Symbol originals with arrows must follow IEC 80416-1 for creation rules.
- Basic arrow form: A standardized basic arrow is specified for any meaning involving movement (physical, functional or otherwise).
- Defined arrow types (Table 1) with head angles and typical meanings:
- Type 1 - 60°: Movement (e.g., movement in one direction)
- Type 2 - 40°: Speed (used to emphasize speed variations)
- Type 3 - 84°: Function and force (functional arrows)
- Type 4 - 90°: Dimension (dimensional arrows)
- Annex A (normative): Prescribes use-cases and variants for arrows:
- Direction of movement (linear, diagonal, rotational, U-turn, helical, flow of material)
- Nature of movement (continuous, interrupted, limited, repeated positioning, override)
- Speed indications (normal / fast / slow) and references for acceleration/deceleration symbols
- Special meanings for function and force, and for internal/external dimensions
- Compatibility: Intended for use with standardized graphical symbol collections such as ISO 7000 and IEC 60417.
Applications and who uses this standard
ISO 80416-2 is used by:
- Product designers and industrial designers creating equipment interfaces and controls
- Technical illustrators and documentation authors preparing manuals and labels
- Safety and compliance engineers standardizing equipment signage
- UI/UX and human factors specialists working on control panels and instrumentation
- Standards bodies and manufacturers ensuring consistent symbol families across devices
Practical applications include drawing control-panel symbols, marking directions and movements on machinery, indicating forces or dimensions on equipment, and creating internationally understood pictograms for manuals and safety signs.
Related standards
- IEC 80416-1: Creation of symbol originals (normative reference)
- ISO 7000: Graphical symbols for use on equipment - Index
- IEC 60417: Graphical symbols for use on equipment (symbol database)
- Other referenced standards: ISO 7001 (public information symbols), ISO 3864 (safety colours/signs)
Keywords: ISO 80416-2, graphical symbols, arrows, arrow form, equipment symbols, ISO 7000, IEC 60417, arrow head angles, symbol design, symbol proportions.