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GHS Pictogram Guide

The GHS hazard pictograms are nine standardized symbols used on chemical labels and safety data sheets under the UN Globally Harmonized System.

The nine GHS hazard pictograms are the standardized symbols used on chemical labels and safety data sheets worldwide. Each is a red square set on its point, framing a black hazard symbol on white. The same nine appear under US OSHA HazCom, EU CLP, and Canadian WHMIS 2015 — the design is fixed, so a compliant label reproduces the symbol exactly as shown here.

  • GHS01 — Exploding bomb (Explosive)
    GHS01

    Explosive

    Exploding bomb

    Signal word
    Danger
    Hazard classes & notes
    • Unstable explosives
    • Explosives (Divisions 1.1–1.4)
    • Self-reactive substances (Types A, B)
    • Organic peroxides (Types A, B)

    Division 1.4 may carry Warning; most explosive categories carry Danger.

  • GHS02 — Flame (Flammable)
    GHS02

    Flammable

    Flame

    Signal word
    Danger or Warning
    Hazard classes & notes
    • Flammable gases, aerosols, liquids, solids
    • Pyrophoric liquids and solids
    • Self-heating substances
    • Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
    • Self-reactive substances (Types C–F)
    • Organic peroxides (Types C–F)

    Signal word depends on category (e.g. Flammable liquid Cat 1–3 = Danger, Cat 4 = Warning).

  • GHS03 — Flame over circle (Oxidizing)
    GHS03

    Oxidizing

    Flame over circle

    Signal word
    Danger or Warning
    Hazard classes & notes
    • Oxidizing gases
    • Oxidizing liquids
    • Oxidizing solids

    Category 1 = Danger; Categories 2–3 = Warning.

  • GHS04 — Gas cylinder (Gas under pressure)
    GHS04

    Gas under pressure

    Gas cylinder

    Signal word
    Warning
    Hazard classes & notes
    • Compressed gases
    • Liquefied gases
    • Refrigerated liquefied gases
    • Dissolved gases

    All pressurized-gas categories carry Warning.

  • GHS05 — Corrosion (Corrosive)
    GHS05

    Corrosive

    Corrosion

    Signal word
    Danger or Warning
    Hazard classes & notes
    • Corrosive to metals (Cat 1)
    • Skin corrosion (Cat 1A/1B/1C)
    • Serious eye damage (Cat 1)

    Skin corrosion and serious eye damage = Danger; corrosive-to-metals = Warning.

  • GHS06 — Skull and crossbones (Acute toxicity (severe))
    GHS06

    Acute toxicity (severe)

    Skull and crossbones

    Signal word
    Danger
    Hazard classes & notes
    • Acute toxicity — oral, dermal, or inhalation (Cat 1, 2, 3)

    Always Danger. Lower acute toxicity (Cat 4) uses the exclamation mark (GHS07) instead.

  • GHS07 — Exclamation mark (Harmful / irritant)
    GHS07

    Harmful / irritant

    Exclamation mark

    Signal word
    Warning
    Hazard classes & notes
    • Acute toxicity (Cat 4)
    • Skin irritation (Cat 2)
    • Eye irritation (Cat 2/2A)
    • Skin sensitization (Cat 1)
    • Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure (Cat 3) — respiratory-tract irritation, narcotic effects
    • Hazardous to the ozone layer (where adopted)

    Carries Warning. Never used together with the skull (GHS06) for the same acute-tox endpoint.

  • GHS08 — Health hazard (Serious health hazard)
    GHS08

    Serious health hazard

    Health hazard

    Signal word
    Danger or Warning
    Hazard classes & notes
    • Respiratory sensitization
    • Germ cell mutagenicity
    • Carcinogenicity
    • Reproductive toxicity
    • Specific target organ toxicity, single & repeated exposure (Cat 1, 2)
    • Aspiration hazard

    Category 1 hazards = Danger; Category 2 = Warning (varies by endpoint).

  • GHS09 — Environment (Hazardous to the environment)
    GHS09

    Hazardous to the environment

    Environment

    Signal word
    Warning
    Hazard classes & notes
    • Hazardous to the aquatic environment — acute (Cat 1)
    • Hazardous to the aquatic environment — chronic (Cat 1, 2)

    Required under EU CLP and WHMIS 2015. NOT required under US OSHA HazCom, which does not regulate environmental hazards — this pictogram is optional on US-only labels.

Reference only. The signal word on an actual label is set by the hazard category, not by the pictogram alone; the note under each symbol explains how it varies. GHS09 (environment) is required under EU CLP and WHMIS 2015 but is not regulated by US OSHA HazCom.

Reference only. Not legal or regulatory advice. Verify against the primary source before you act.

How it works

The GHS hazard pictograms are nine standardized symbols used on chemical labels and safety data sheets under the UN Globally Harmonized System. The same nine appear under US OSHA HazCom, EU CLP, and WHMIS 2015 — each a red square set on its point, framing a black hazard symbol on white.

This is a reference, not an advisory tool: it reproduces the fixed symbols and lists the hazard classes each covers. The signal word on a real label is set by the hazard category, not by the pictogram alone — the note under each symbol explains how it varies. One jurisdictional difference to watch: GHS09 (environment) is required under EU CLP and WHMIS 2015 but is not regulated by US OSHA HazCom.

Pictogram artwork is from an MIT-licensed set (canonical UNECE/Wikimedia geometry), used under that licence. The GHS pictograms themselves are the standardized symbols defined by the UN GHS and are public standards.

Related tools

Browse every GHS hazard pictogram as its own page

Data vintage

  • Data: GHS hazard pictograms, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), 9 pictograms.Pictogram artwork is the MIT-licensed set at github.com/karlnorling/ghs-hazard-pictograms, of canonical UNECE and Wikimedia-derived geometry. The module header records no publisher release or retrieval date, so neither is stated here.

last updated 2026-07-05