Flowchart Shapes and Symbols — Complete Guide

Standard flowchart shapes exist so that anyone reading your diagram — regardless of industry or background — understands what each symbol means without a legend. The oval means "start or end," the diamond means "decision," the rectangle means "action." When shapes are used correctly, flowcharts communicate process logic at a glance. This guide covers every standard symbol, what it means, when to use it, and the exact syntax to create it in the free flowchart maker.

The Six Core Flowchart Shapes

1. Terminal (Oval / Stadium / Pill)
Marks the start and end of a process. Every flowchart has exactly one start terminal and at least one end terminal (sometimes multiple for different exit paths). Labeled "Start," "Begin," "End," or "Stop."

A([Start])    A([End])

2. Process (Rectangle)
Represents an action, task, or step performed in the process. The most common shape in any flowchart. Labels are action phrases: "Fill out the form," "Send notification," "Calculate total."

A[Process step]

3. Decision (Diamond)
Represents a yes/no question or condition that branches the flow. Always has two or more outgoing arrows, each labeled with the condition (Yes/No, True/False, or specific outcomes). Every decision must have labeled paths — unlabeled diamond outputs cause confusion.

A{Decision?}

4. Data (Parallelogram)
Represents input or output — data entering or leaving the process. Used when the flowchart shows a system or algorithm receiving user input or producing output. Less common in business process flowcharts than in software/algorithm diagrams.

5. Document (Rectangle with wavy bottom)
Represents a physical or digital document produced or consumed in the process. Used in business process maps: "Invoice," "Report," "Form." Not available in all lightweight flowchart tools.

6. Connector (Circle)
Marks a point where flow continues from another part of the diagram — useful for large flowcharts that would need very long crossing connectors otherwise. Labeled with a letter or number. Appears in pairs: one circle is the "from" point, another is the "to" point.

A((A))    A((B))

Additional Shapes for Specific Contexts

Beyond the core six, these shapes appear in specialized contexts:

• Rounded rectangle (Subprocess): Represents a step that is itself a separate defined process. Use when a step in your flowchart has its own detailed flowchart. Labeled with the subprocess name.
• Database / Cylinder: Represents data stored in a database or file system. Used in software and data flow diagrams.
• Manual input (Rectangle with slanted top): Represents a step requiring manual keyboard or data entry. Common in software/systems flow diagrams.
• Preparation (Hexagon): Setup or initialization step — often used in older flowchart standards. Less common in modern diagrams.

In everyday business and software process flowcharts, the terminal, process, decision, and connector shapes handle the vast majority of documentation needs. The specialized shapes become relevant in formal technical documentation and systems design.

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Shapes in the Free Flowchart Maker — Code Reference

The following shapes are supported with their text syntax:

Shape	Symbol	Syntax	Use for
Rectangle	Process	A[text]	Actions and steps
Diamond	Decision	A{text}	Yes/No questions
Rounded rectangle	Subprocess	A(text)	Sub-processes
Stadium / pill	Terminal	A([text])	Start and end
Circle	Connector	A((text))	On-page connectors

A complete flowchart using all shapes:

flowchart TD
    A([Start]) --> B[Collect data]
    B --> C{Data valid?}
    C -- No --> D[Request correction] --> B
    C -- Yes --> E(Run subprocess)
    E --> F[Generate output]
    F --> G((A))
    G --> H([End])

Arrow Types and Connector Labels

Arrows are as important as shapes — they define the direction of flow and the conditions on each path.

Arrow types:

• A --> B — Standard directional arrow (most common)
• A -- label --> B — Arrow with condition label (required on decision paths)
• A -.-> B — Dashed arrow (optional or alternative path)
• A --- B — Line without arrowhead (rare — for showing association)

Best practices for labels:

• Label every outgoing arrow from a decision diamond
• Keep labels short: "Yes," "No," "Error," "Approved," "Rejected"
• Use consistent label placement — always on the left or always on the right for yes/no pairs
• Don't label arrows on linear steps unless the path condition needs clarification

Common Shape Mistakes to Avoid

• Using rectangles for decisions: If a node has two outgoing paths, it must be a diamond. Rectangles imply a single outgoing flow.
• Multiple start terminals: Every process has one start. If you have multiple entry points, add a decision near the top that routes to the correct first step based on context.
• Unlabeled decision arrows: Every path from a diamond must be labeled. "Yes/No" is the minimum — be more specific when paths lead to different outcomes.
• Open paths: Every branch must terminate at an end terminal or loop back to an earlier step. A path that stops without an endpoint is an incomplete flowchart.
• Overusing specialty shapes: Most flowcharts only need rectangles, diamonds, and ovals. Adding cylinders, hexagons, and parallelograms without clear purpose creates visual noise without adding meaning.

For practice building complete flowcharts with correct symbol use, see the step-by-step flowchart guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What shape should I use for the start and end of a flowchart?

A terminal shape — oval or stadium (pill shape). Labeled "Start" for the beginning and "End" or "Stop" for the exit. Every flowchart should have exactly one start terminal and at least one end terminal.

What shape represents a yes/no decision in a flowchart?

A diamond. It should have two outgoing arrows, each labeled with the condition — typically "Yes" and "No," or the specific outcomes for each path.

Can I use the same shape for different purposes in one flowchart?

No — consistent symbol use is what makes flowcharts universally readable. If you use rectangles for both process steps and decisions, readers can't tell where branching occurs. Use shapes consistently according to their standard meanings.

Do I need to include all six standard shapes in every flowchart?

No. Most flowcharts only use three: terminal (start/end), process (rectangles), and decision (diamonds). Use additional shapes only when they add clarity — not to make the diagram look comprehensive.

What is the difference between a rounded rectangle and a regular rectangle in flowcharts?

A regular rectangle is a process step. A rounded rectangle traditionally indicates a subprocess — a step that is itself a separate defined procedure. In informal use, the distinction is sometimes dropped and both are used interchangeably for process steps.