Road sign shapes and colors
Shape tells you the type of sign before you can read it: an octagon always means stop, a point-down triangle means yield, and a diamond warns. Color adds meaning: red stops you, yellow warns, orange marks work zones, and green, blue and brown give directions and services.
Shapes
Octagon: Stop
Eight sides is used for one sign only, so you can recognize it from behind, at night or covered in snow.
Downward triangle: Yield
The point-down triangle is reserved for yield, so it reads even when the word is hidden.
Circle: Railroad crossing ahead
Round signs are only used to warn of train tracks ahead.
Pentagon: School zone or school crossing
The house-like five-sided shape marks places where children walk to school.
Diamond: Warning: a hazard or change is ahead
Diamonds always warn. They give you time to slow down before you reach the hazard.
Pennant: No passing zone
This sideways flag shape sits on the left side of the road, where you would look before passing.
Crossbuck (X): Railroad crossing: yield to trains
The X marks the crossing itself. A train always has the right of way.
Vertical rectangle: Regulatory: a rule you must follow
Tall rectangles carry laws like speed limits and turn rules.
Horizontal rectangle: Guide: directions and information
Wide rectangles carry place names, exits and distances.
Colors
Red: Stop, yield or not allowed
Red is the most urgent color. It is used only for stopping and things you must not do.
Yellow: General warning
Yellow is easy to see in daylight and headlights, so it is used to warn.
Orange: Work zone
Orange is only used for temporary construction and incident zones.
Fluorescent yellow-green: School, pedestrian and bike warning
This bright color is saved for places where people on foot or bike are near.
White: Regulatory: rules
White signs with black letters state the law, like speed limits.
Green: Directions and distances
Green guide signs tell you where you are going.
Blue: Services and help
Blue points you to gas, food, lodging and hospitals.
Brown: Parks and recreation
Brown marks parks, campgrounds and historic sites.
Practice shapes and colors
Ten quick questions. Then move on to regulatory signs.