Heat exchanger symbol

A circle or rectangle crossed by a zigzag, marking heat transfer between streams.

Also known as: Exchanger symbol, Zigzag in a circle

Engineering & technicalQuiet profile

Meanings

A zigzag through a shape marks a heat exchanger. The zigzag is a picture of a long path in a small space, which is exactly what the equipment is for.

Common modern usageVerified fact
Marks equipment transferring heat between two fluid streams without mixing them.
Contexts: Technical drawing
Common modern usageVerified fact
Draws a zigzag or coil to represent a long flow path packed into a small volume, which is the operating principle rather than a decoration.
Contexts: Technical drawing

A circle or rectangle crossed by a continuous zigzag or coiled line running between two opposite sides, with pipes entering at each corner.

A fuller structured visual breakdown is not yet documented for this symbol.

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, 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 documented in encyclopedic references.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Heat exchanger
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a symbol instructs and which standard governs it. Where a standard is named it is reported by this source rather than read, so no meaning is typed `official` on that basis.
Piping and instrumentation diagram
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a symbol instructs and which standard governs it. Where a standard is named it is reported by this source rather than read, so no meaning is typed `official` on that basis.

Last reviewed 2026-07-31

Meanings

A zigzag through a shape marks a heat exchanger. The zigzag is a picture of a long path in a small space, which is exactly what the equipment is for.

Common modern usageVerified fact

Marks equipment transferring heat between two fluid streams without mixing them.

Common modern usageVerified fact

Draws a zigzag or coil to represent a long flow path packed into a small volume, which is the operating principle rather than a decoration.

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, 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 documented in encyclopedic references.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Sources

Heat exchanger
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a symbol instructs and which standard governs it. Where a standard is named it is reported by this source rather than read, so no meaning is typed `official` on that basis.
Piping and instrumentation diagram
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a symbol instructs and which standard governs it. Where a standard is named it is reported by this source rather than read, so no meaning is typed `official` on that basis.

Last reviewed 2026-07-31