Weld Symbols Made Simple: What Every PM in Construction Should Know

A quick guide for project managers to confidently understand and use weld symbols on construction drawings.

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The Insights

As a project manager, you don’t need to be a welding expert — but you do need to understand what you’re looking at when structural attachments come into play.
Whether you're working with wind load clips, dead load supports, or steel brackets, weld symbols are part of the language of coordination between engineers, fabricators, and installers. Misunderstand a symbol, and it could cost you time, rework, and red flags during inspection.
Let’s fix that.

Why Weld Symbols Matter

Many engineers include welding specs on drawings for clips and connections, especially in high-load zones. Knowing how to decipher basic weld symbols helps you:

  • Verify that what's installed matches the design intent

  • Catch errors before a third-party inspector does

  • Communicate clearly with fabricators and on-site welders


➤ Think of this as a translation guide — so you can speak “weld” without being fluent.

The Core Elements of a Weld Symbol

Every weld symbol has 3 basic components:

  • Arrow Line – Points to the part being welded

  • Reference Line – Holds the weld type, size, and placement info

  • Tail – Notes process or spec requirements (e.g., MIG, TIG, arc welding)

Decoding the Symbol

What does a weld symbol actually tell you?

  • Type of weld (fillet, groove, plug, etc.)

  • Side of the part it applies to (arrow side or opposite)

  • Length, spacing, and size of the weld

  • Whether it happens in the field or shop

  • If it wraps around the whole component


Common Symbols Worth Knowing

You’ll see these often in curtain wall, storefront, and structural support details:

  • Fillet weld ⎯ Most common in clip connections

  • Groove weld ⎯ Used in full-penetration joints

  • Weld-all-around ⎯ Symbol means wrap the weld 360°

  • Field weld ⎯ Flag indicates the weld is to be done on-site

Understanding these at a glance can save you hours of back-and-forth with engineers or foremen.


Resources We Recommend

  • AWS Welding Symbol Chart (cheat sheet)

  • Talk to your on-site welder — seriously, they know their stuff

  • Search by image — visual examples help you spot weld types in the field

  • Ask your engineer — when in doubt, confirm and document


Weld Symbols