The color of a road sign can tell you just as much as the symbol or message on it. Here's a breakdown of what every road sign color means.
Decoding Road Sign Colors: What They Tell You From a Distance
Published on Dec. 17, 2024
1
/
9
Red Road Signs
Red is used exclusively for regulatory road signs prohibiting doing something. So, a stop sign is red because you are prohibited from driving past it without stopping. “Yield,” “do not enter,” no left or right turn and “no parking” signs are other examples of prohibitive signs that are red.
2
/
9
Black and White Road Signs
Like red signs, white signs with black lettering are regulatory, but rather than prohibiting something, they give directives. “Speed limit,” “one-way” and weight limit signs are all examples of white and black road signs that give specific directions.
3
/
9
Yellow Road Signs
Yellow road signs are general warnings about something coming up ahead. For example, warning signs for intersections, sharp curves, deer crossings, hills, and stop sign ahead (along with many more warnings) are all yellow.
Even if you don’t know exactly what a yellow road sign’s symbol means in passing, you should drive cautiously in the area where you saw it, as it was warning you about something on your route ahead.
4
/
9
Orange Road Signs
Orange road signs indicate temporary traffic control, usually in connection to construction. For example, “construction ahead,” “exit closed,” and “detour” signs are all orange.
5
/
9
Pink Road Signs
Pink road signs are used for incident management. For example, “incident ahead” signs are pink.
6
/
9
Green Road Signs
Green road signs are most common on highways and provide directional guidance. They usually contain information about mileage, upcoming exits, and what lane to use if you’re taking an upcoming exit on them.
7
/
9
Light Yellow/Green Road Signs
Fluorescent yellow and green road signs indicate upcoming pedestrian crossing areas like school zones, playgrounds, and bicycle lanes. You’ll definitely want to slow down and look out for pedestrian traffic whenever you see a sign that’s this color.
8
/
9
Blue Road Signs
Blue road signs indicate driver services or tourist areas, such as rest areas, hospitals, food, lodging, gas and more. If you desperately need a bathroom break, look for a blue “rest area” sign.
9
/
9
Brown Road Signs
Brown road signs give directions to sites of historic or cultural significance and recreational areas, such as camping facilities, trails and museums.
Sources
- Federal Highway Administration: “United States Road Symbol Signs”
- U.S. Department of Transportation: “United States Road Symbol Signs”
