Weld SymbolGames
GUIDE 02 OF 30 · Reading Foundations · beginner

Arrow Side vs Other Side

Arrow side means the side of the joint identified by the arrow. Other side means the opposite side of that same joint—not the far side of the sheet or the upper side of the page.

After this guide, you can:
  • Identify the physical arrow side even when the view is rotated
  • Translate above/below reference-line placement into the correct surface
  • Recognize a true both-sides instruction
Trace the drawingTest yourself
ANNOTATED PRINTFillet symbol below the line
Arrow Side vs Other Side annotated blueprint callout
Under common AWS-style placement, the fillet weld applies to the arrow side of the joint. Moving the same symbol above the line changes it to the other side.
WHY THIS MATTERS IN COLUMN CLIP · ROTATED SECTION B-B

Using page orientation

A perfectly sized weld on the wrong side is still wrong. Side significance connects a flat drawing convention to a physical surface on the assembly.

COLUMN CLIP · ROTATED SECTION B-B

The section view is rotated ninety degrees

01 · What is on the sheet

A fillet symbol appears below the reference line, but the apparent ‘bottom’ of the part changes between views.

02 · The decision

Ignore page direction. Follow the arrow to the joint and identify the surface on the arrow side; below-line placement applies there in the AWS-style convention used here.

03 · The consequence

The weld stays assigned to the same physical side even when the drawing view rotates.

FIELD TRANSFER WORKSHOP

Keep the physical side fixed while the view turns.

The same clip angle is shown in elevation and in a section rotated ninety degrees. Page-up and page-down change; the arrow-side surface does not.

01

Name the joint surfaces before looking at symbol placement.

02

Carry the arrow-side identity into the rotated section instead of rotating the rule.

03

Use above or below the reference line only after the physical joint is settled.

COLUMN CLIP · ROTATED SECTION B-BTwo view annotations that point to the same physical side of the joint
Column clip shown in elevation and a rotated section for arrow-side practice
This training sheet is separate from the annotated example above. Verify its callout against the governing drawing, WPS, and project requirements before production use.
MARKUP TO HAND IN

Mark the arrow-side surface in both views, then identify where an above-line symbol would place the weld without using the words top, bottom, near, or far.

Deliverable · Two view annotations that point to the same physical side of the joint
Compare with the field read +

The arrow-side surface remains the surface identified by the arrow in both views. A symbol below the reference line applies there; a symbol above applies to the opposite surface of that joint.

DRAWING EVIDENCE

Translate line placement into a physical surface

Begin with the cue in the first column. The final column records the drawing, detail, procedure, or acceptance question that this callout cannot answer by itself.

Visual cueWhat it establishesWhat still needs verification
Symbol below the lineArrow-side instruction in the convention used by these lessonsBelow does not mean underside of the page or part.
Symbol above the lineOther-side instructionIdentify the opposite surface of the same joint—not the far side of the sheet.
Matching symbols above and belowWelds on both sides of the jointDimensions may differ by side; read each placement.
DECIDING DISTINCTIONS

Arrow side and other side survive a rotated view

Arrow side

The side of the joint identified by the arrow

Evidence to useWould it remain the arrow side if the paper were rotated? It should.

Other side

The opposite side of that same joint

Evidence to useDo not substitute ‘top’, ‘back’, or ‘far side’ without using the joint view.
WORKING METHOD

Name the two sides without borrowing page direction

In common AWS-style placement, a weld symbol below the reference line applies to the arrow side; above the line applies to the other side; matching symbols on both sides call for welds on both sides.

  1. Locate the arrow tip on the joint.
  2. Identify the physical surface on the arrow side.
  3. Check whether the weld symbol is below, above, or on both sides of the reference line.
  4. Verify the joint view before assigning the weld to a surface.
Arrow Side vs Other Side joint and weld concept diagram
Rotate the part mentally if necessary. Side significance follows the joint and arrow, not the page orientation.
FAILURE CHECKS

Shortcuts that move the weld when the paper turns

01

Using page orientation

Arrow side is a property of the joint. Turning the drawing does not change which side the arrow identifies.

02

Skipping the joint view

The same line placement can look different when the section or elevation view changes. Confirm the physical joint.

03

Inventing a second weld

A symbol on only one side of the reference line does not automatically specify a weld on the opposite side.

RELEASE GATE

Prove the side assignment in both views

Use the full list before fabrication, fit-up, or inspection. This is a drawing-reading handoff—not a substitute for the governing acceptance standard.

  1. 01Locate the arrow tip
  2. 02Identify both physical surfaces of the joint
  3. 03Check symbol placement above/below
  4. 04Read dimensions on the correct side
  5. 05Confirm the drawing convention
Questions learners ask

Arrow Side vs Other Side FAQ

Does below the line always mean the bottom of the part?

No. In AWS-style placement, below the reference line means arrow side; it does not mean the lower side of the page or part.

How are welds on both sides shown?

For a fillet weld, fillet symbols are placed on both sides of the reference line. Dimensions must still be read in the context in which they are shown.

Do ISO drawings always use the same convention?

No. ISO 2553 supports systems with different reference-line conventions. Confirm the governing standard and drawing convention.

REFERENCE SCOPE

Evidence and limits for this Arrow Side vs Other Side lesson

This guide teaches common AWS-style drawing interpretation. It is educational material, not a substitute for the purchased standard, project specification, code, WPS, or qualified engineering direction.

EDITORIAL CHECKSource locators, image labels, worked example, and question logic checked; no independent technical sign-off is currently publishedLast substantive editorial review: July 18, 2026
TOPIC LOCATORS IN AWS A2.4:2020AWS A2.4:2020 §§6.1–6.4AWS A2.4:2020 Figure 6.1Locators help readers find the topic in a purchased copy; they are not a reproduction or official interpretation of the standard.
AWS A2.4:2020 · 8th EditionStandard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination ↗Miller Welding BasicsIndependent educational cross-check for common symbol families ↗

How this page was made. The training diagrams, worked example, comparisons, and questions are original educational material. Read the editorial and technical review policy for the full process.

FINISHED READING?

Save your place after Arrow Side vs Other Side.

This marker records reading progress only; it does not mean the topic is mastered. Use the six-question practice page to check your understanding.

Next: Fillet Weld →
CONTINUE EXPLORING
Symbol Anatomy annotated calloutSymbol AnatomyReading FoundationsFillet Weld annotated calloutFillet WeldWeld TypesField Weld annotated calloutField WeldSupplementary Symbols

Educational practice only. Verify production work against the governing drawing, applicable standard, WPS, and qualified instruction.