What is a weld symbol, and what information does it convey?

• A. A weld symbol communicates weld type (fillet or groove), size, length, and location on the joint.
• B. A weld symbol is decorative and indicates who welded.
• C. A weld symbol identifies the welding machine used.
• D. A weld symbol describes the color of the weld.

Answer: (A)

Weld symbols on drawings are a compact, standardized way to tell exactly how to weld a joint. They specify the weld type (for example, fillet or groove), the size of the weld (for fillets, the leg length; for groove welds, the weld size and related groove details), the length of the weld if it’s a continuous application, and where the weld goes on the joint (which side of the joint and where along it). This lets the fabricator translate the drawing into a precise weld without needing extra notes. They aren’t decorative marks, they don’t indicate who welded, they don’t identify welding machines, and they don’t describe color.