Flowchart flow line

An arrow joining one step to the next.

Also known as: Control flow line, Connecting arrow flowchart

Engineering & technicalEveryday & digitalStandard profile

Meanings

The flowchart line carrying control from one symbol to the next, drawn with an arrowhead giving direction.

Officially standardisedVerified fact
Carries control from one flowchart symbol to the next.
Contexts: Technical drawing, Software
Officially standardisedVerified fact
Does more work than any shape in the notation, since two of the symbols cannot be read at all without it, so a flowchart's arrows are its grammar.
Contexts: Technical drawing, Software

A straight line with an arrowhead at one end, drawn between two symbols.

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

ISO 5807, Information processing — Documentation symbols and conventions
International Organization for Standardization · retrieved 2026-08-25
The international standard defining flowchart and program documentation symbols. Cited for a symbol's identity and defined meaning. The standard's own drawings are not reproduced.

Last reviewed 2026-08-25

Meanings

The flowchart line carrying control from one symbol to the next, drawn with an arrowhead giving direction.

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Carries control from one flowchart symbol to the next.

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Does more work than any shape in the notation, since two of the symbols cannot be read at all without it, so a flowchart's arrows are its grammar.

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

ISO 5807, Information processing — Documentation symbols and conventions
International Organization for Standardization · retrieved 2026-08-25
The international standard defining flowchart and program documentation symbols. Cited for a symbol's identity and defined meaning. The standard's own drawings are not reproduced.

Last reviewed 2026-08-25