CWB Form 112E/2004-1

WELDING SYMBOLS

STUDY GUIDE

CANADIAN WELDING BUREAU

A DIVISION OF CWB GROUP - INDUSTRY SERVICES

Due care has been taken in the preparation of this material; however, the Canadian
Welding Bureau accepts no liability arising from the use or misuse of any of the
information contained in this document. Its contents have been prepared for
educational purposes and should not be applied without consulting the relevant
standards.

"CERTIFICATION MAKES THE DIFFERENCE"

Copyright CWB Group 2004
 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Contents:

Page

The Parts of a Welding Symbol and their Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Significance of Arrow Side / Other Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Which Side of the Joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Grove Weld Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 5

Additional Weld Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 - 7

Supplementary Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 - 9

Finishing Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Terminology For Groove Welded Joints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Groove Weld Symbols - Partial / Complete Joint Penetration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Groove Weld Symbols - Location of Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Groove Weld Symbols - A Complex Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Gouge to Sound Metal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Flare Groove Welds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Terminology for Fillet Weld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Fillet Weld Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Fillet Weld Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Single Fillet Weld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Double Fillet Welds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Intermittent Fillet Welds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Chain Intermittent Fillet Welds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Staggered Intermittent Fillet Welds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Arc Spot Welds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Multiple Reference Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 - 27

Multiple Choice Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 - 32

Answers to Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

The Parts of a Welding Symbol

and their Location

REFERENCE LINE

Information above FIELD WELD

(N) the reference line SYMBOL
F
o
applies to the
OTHER SIDE (o)
TAIL A of the joint WELD-ALL-AROUND
o

R SYMBOL
ARROW
S (E ) W
o o
o
L -P
o o (Points to a
REFERENCE line identifying
S (E ) W
a a a L -P
a a the arrow side
of the joint)
R
A a
Information below
the reference line Note: The arrow may be put on
F applies to the the left or right of the reference
a
ARROW SIDE (a) line and may point up or down.
(N) of the joint
Notes re Arrow: Optional break
in Arrow means that the member
being pointed at is to be bevelled.
(J and Bevel Grooves only)

S - DEPTH OF BEVEL FOR GROOVE WELDS; OR SIZE FOR SOME OTHER TYPES OF WELDS

(E) - GROOVE WELD SIZE (Parentheses required)

W - WELD SYMBOL (Touches Reference Line, Use Wa and Wo for both side welds)

R - ROOT OPENING (Used with either Arrow or other side weld symbol)

A - GROOVE ANGLE

and - CONTOUR SYMBOLS ( is flat/flush, is convex for illustrative purposes)

F - FINISHING METHOD - G FOR GRINDING, M FOR MACHINING, U FOR UNSPECIFIED METHOD

(N) - NUMBER OF WELDS FOR SPOT, STUD, PLUG OR SLOT WELDS

(Parentheses required, used only once in each welding symbol)

L - LENGTH OF WELD

P - PITCH (Centre to Centre spacing of weld segments)

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Significance of
Arrow Side / Other Side

INFORMATION ABOVE THE

REFERENCE LINE REFERS
TO THE SIDE OF THE JOINT
OPPOSITE THE SIDE TO
WHICH THE ARROW POINTS

- OTHER SIDE -

REFERENCE LINE
NOTE: TAIL
IS REQUIRED
ARROW
ONLY WHEN IT
IS TO CONTAIN
INFORMATION

- ARROW SIDE -

INFORMATION BELOW THE

REFERENCE LINE REFERS
TO THE SIDE OF THE JOINT
TO WHICH THE ARROW POINTS

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Which Side of the Joint?

OTHER SIDE

OTHER SIDE

OTHER
SIDE

OTHER
SIDE

NOTE: The “Arrow Side” of a joint is the side to which the arrow points.
To get from the “Arrow Side” of a joint to the “Other Side”,
travel on a path through the joint shown by .
This path passes through the area or point where the members
of the joint are in contact or are closest together.

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Groove Weld Symbols

(SHOWN ON ARROW SIDE OF THE REFERENCE LINE

FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES)

SQUARE-GROOVE

FLARE - BEVEL - GROOVE

FLARE - V - GROOVE

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Groove Weld Symbols

(ARROW SIDE)

BEVEL-GROOVE

J - GROOVE

V - GROOVE

U - GROOVE

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Additional Weld Symbols

FILLET WELD

BACK OR BACKING WELD

BACK (Used with a Groove Weld Symbol)
WELD
If Back or Backing Weld Symbol is
used the words “Back Weld” or
“Backing Weld” are required in the
tail.

PLUG OR SLOT WELD

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Additional Weld Symbols

SPOT WELD

SURFACING WELD

EDGE WELD

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Supplementary Symbols

WELD - ALL - AROUND

(A continuous weld of
unchanging size, geometry
and weld type around a
series of connected joints)

FIELD WELD

MELT THROUGH
(Used with a Groove Weld Symbol)

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Supplementary Symbols

BACKING

SPACER

CONSUMABLE INSERT

CONTOUR -
FLAT OR FLUSH

CONTOUR -
CONVEX

CONTOUR -
CONCAVE

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Finishing Methods

FINISHING METHOD
USED WITH GROOVE WELD
M AND CONTOUR SYMBOLS

C - CHIPPING

G - GRINDING

H - HAMMERING

M - MACHINING

R - ROLLING

U - UNSPECIFIED

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Terminology For
Groove Welded Joints

0
GROOVE ANGLE ( )

BEVEL
ANGLE

1 Depth
2 4 of
3 Bevel

ROOT FACE

ROOT OPENING

1 Groove Weld Size for a partial joint penetration weld that is

less than the depth of bevel.

2 Groove Weld Size for a partial joint penetration weld that is

equal to the depth of bevel.

3 Groove Weld Size for a partial joint penetration weld that is

greater than the depth of bevel.

4 Groove Weld Size for a weld that equals the base material
thickness. (Complete joint penetration)

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Groove Weld Symbols -

Partial/Complete Joint Penetration

PARTIAL JOINT PENETRATION REQUIRED

12 (9)
2

45°
DEPTH OF BEVEL
ROOT OPENING
GROOVE WELD SIZE
GROOVE ANGLE

COMPLETE JOINT PENETRATION REQUIRED - SOME EXAMPLES

(When both depth of bevel and groove weld size are omitted)

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Groove Weld Symbols - Location of Elements

Since a weld length is

not specified, welding
is for the full length of
S (E) R the groove
A
ROOT
DEPTH OF OPENING
BEVEL GROOVE
WELD SIZE GROOVE ANGLE

EXAMPLE:

13 (16)
3
AS SHOWN 60°
ON DRAWING

60°

AS COMPLETE JOINT
13
16

PENETRATION

3
60°

AS PARTIAL JOINT
13

PENETRATION
16

3
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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Groove Weld Symbols - A Complex Example

EXAMPLE:

A2 A1
S2 (E2)
S1 (E1)
R
A1 +
A

S1 E1
t R

S2 E2

1
A

A2

A1, A2 - GROOVE ANGLES

A1, A+ - BEVEL ANGLES
E1, E2 - GROOVE WELD SIZES
S1, S2 - DEPTHS OF BEVEL
R - ROOT OPENING

NOTE: Broken arrow points toward member to receive the single bevel.
If there is no preference a straight arrow is used.

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Gouge To Sound Metal

GTSM

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Flare Groove Welds

E E
S S

R
R R

FLARE-BEVEL-GROOVE WELD FLARE-V-GROOVE WELD

S (E) S (E)

S=R

REQUIRED “E” FOR SOLID ROUND BAR

FROM CSA W59 TABLE 4-1

FLARE-BEVEL FLARE-V
W59 E = 5/16 R E = 1/2R
W59 E = .3R E = .5R

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Terminology for Fillet Weld

TOE
EFFECTIVE
LEG
FACE - CONCAVE TOE
FACED
FACE - CONVEX FACED WELD
WELD
FACE - FLAT FACED WELD
TOE LEG
TOE

EFFECTIVE LEG AND

LEG EFFECTIVE
LEG

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Fillet Weld Size

CONVEX FACE
CONCAVE
FACE FLAT FACE
2 1

2 1

1 Fillet Weld Size for flat and convex faced fillet welds.

2 Fillet Weld Size for concave faced fillet welds.

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Fillet Weld Symbols

FLAT CONTOUR FIELD WELD

BY MACHINING

REF. TO WELD-ALL-AROUND
WPDS SYMBOL
M
(when required)
SIZE LENGTH
PROC.
F10 SIZE LENGTH
G

CONCAVE CONTOUR
BY GRINDING

VIEWING POSITION

JOINT JOINT
JOINT

6mm 10mm
6mm 10mm

6 6
10 10

T - Joint Lap Joint Corner Joint

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Single Fillet Weld

(Shown Arrow Side)

8 75

FILLET WELD SIZE

LENGTH OF WELD
(If this is not used it
means the weld is
continuous between
two points of abrupt
change of direction)

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Double Fillet Welds

10 200
10 200

6 100
8 75

FILLET WELD SIZE

LENGTH OF WELD
(If this is not specified
it means the weld is
continuous between
two points of abrupt
change of direction)

NOTE: For double-welded joints, the weld symbols on BOTH sides of

the reference line are required to be FULLY dimensioned even
if the welds on both sides are to be identical in size and length.

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Intermittent Fillet Welds

-SINGLE

-CHAIN

-STAGGERED

PITCH - Distance between centres of segments on each line of weld

PITCH = L+ d PITCH

L L L L L L
2 2 2 2 2 2
L d L d L

SEGMENT CLEAR SPACING

SIZE SEGMENT AT PITCH

SIZE SEGMENT AT PITCH

S1 L1 - P1 S1 L1 - P 1
S2 L2 - P2 S2 L2 - P 2

Chain Staggered

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Chain Intermittent Fillet Welds

8 75 - 150
8 75 - 150

PITCH
FILLET WELD SIZE (Distance between
centres of segments )

LENGTH OF SEGMENTS

NOTE: For double-welded joints, the weld symbols on BOTH sides of

the reference line are required to be FULLY dimensioned even
if the welds on both sides are to be identical in size, length and
pitch.

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Staggered Intermittent Fillet Welds

6 50 - 200
6 50 - 200

PITCH
FILLET WELD SIZE
(Distance between
centres of segments)

LENGTH OF SEGMENTS

NOTE: For double-welded joints, the weld symbols on BOTH sides of

the reference line are required to be FULLY dimensioned even
if the welds on both sides are to be identical in size, length and
pitch.

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Arc Spot Welds

(Shown Arrow Side)

20 300

+ + +

300 300

S P
P P
Sheet Metal

Supporting
S S S
Member

Faying Surface

S = Spot Weld Size at Faying Surface = 20mm

P = Pitch = Center to Center spacing of welds = 300mm

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

Multiple Reference Lines

USED TO DESIGNATE SEQUENCE

3rd OPERATION
2nd OPERATION
1st OPERATION
- (Ref. line closest to arrow)

Ex.
Backweld 3rd
(i)
2nd
1st 1st
3rd

2nd

(ii) 3rd
2nd
2nd
Backing weld 1st
1st

3rd

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

RT

GTSM

RT = RADIOGRAPHIC
EXAMINATION

GTSM = GOUGE TO
SOUND METAL
BROKEN ARROW POINTS TO MEMBER
OF JOINT TO BE BEVELLED

GOUGE

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Choose the correct welding symbol that precisely specifies

1.
the weld shown.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

2. Choose the correct welding symbol for the welds shown.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

3. Choose the correct welding symbol for the weld shown.

1.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

4. Choose the correct welding symbol for the weld shown.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

5. Choose the correct welding symbol for the weld shown.

(a) BACKWELD GTSM

60° 3
60°
60°
3
GTSM
(b)

GTSM
(c) 3

3 GTSM
(d) 3
60°

6. Choose the correct welding symbol for the welds shown.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

7. Choose the correct welding symbol for the welds shown.

(a) 50 - 150
50mm 50mm 50mm

50 - 100

(b)

50 150
(c)

150mm 150mm 50 - 150

(d)

8. Choose the correct welding symbol for the welds shown.

10 X 16
10 X 16
(a)

10mm 16mm 10 X 16
(b) 10 X 16

16 (10)
(c) 10 (16)

10mm 16mm
10 (16)
(d) 10 (16)

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

9. Choose the correct welding symbol for the welds shown.

50 - 150
(a)
150mm 150mm

50 150

(b) 150 50

50 (150)
(c) 50 (150)

50 - 150

50mm 50mm 50mm (d) 50 - 150

10. Choose the correct welding symbol for the welds shown.

150mm 300mm
50 - 300
(a)
50 - 300

50 - 300
(b) 50 - 300

50 (300)
(c) 50 (300)

50mm 50mm 50mm 50mm

50 x 300
(d) 50 x 300

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 CWB Form 112E/2004-1

ANSWERS TO EXERCISE

1. (c) 6. (d)

2. (d) 7. (a)

3. (b) 8. (d)

4. (c) 9. (d)

5. (a) 10. (b)

Additional study material that is available:

CSA Standard W59

AWS Standard A2.4;

Gooderham Centre For Industrial Learning (GCIL),

Module 3 of the course “Fundamental of Welding
Technology and Inspection”.

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The Canadian Welding Bureau (the Bureau), federally incorporated, "not-for-profit" organization is
accredited by the Standards Council of Canada as a Certification Body for the administration of CSA
Standards W47.1, W47.2, W186, W178.1 and the W48 Series of Standards.

Le Bureau canadien de soudage (le Bureau), une organisation fédéralement incorporée à but non lucratif
est accréditée par le conseil Canadien des normes comme une organisation de certification pour
l'administration des normes CSA W47.1, W47.2, W186, W178.1 et des normes CSA de la series W48.

Canadian Welding Bureau Offices

HEAD OFFICE:

7250 West Credit Avenue,

Mississauga, Ontario L5N 5N1
Tel: 1-800-844-6790
Fax: (905) 542-1318
Email: info@cwbgroup.org
web site: www.cwbgroup.org

OFFICES ACROSS CANADA

Western Operations: Suite 206, 2528 Ellwood Drive

Edmonton, Alberta T6X 0A9

Ontario Operations: 7250 West Credit Avenue

Mississauga, Ontario L5N 5N1

Quebec Operations: 950 Michelin

Laval, Quebec H7L 5C1

Atlantic Operations: Suite 304, 73 Tacoma Drive

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2W 3Y6