Steep hill upwards sign: what it means
The steep hill upwards sign warns of a steep uphill slope ahead. 20 per cent means the road climbs 1 metre for every 5 metres.
What does the steep hill upwards sign mean?
Know your traffic signs says 20 per cent is the same as a gradient of 1 in 5.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- A steep hill down ahead.
- A steep hill up ahead.
- A humped bridge ahead.
Show answer
B. A steep hill up ahead. A steep hill upwards ahead (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 139, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 155, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On hilly roads, in the country and in some towns.
What should you do?
Change to a lower gear before the climb so you do not lose speed or stall. Leave room to the vehicle ahead in case it slows. On single-track roads, give way to road users coming uphill whenever you can (rule 155); you are the one going up here, so others should make room for you, but be ready to stop.
What do people get wrong?
Changing down too late, halfway up the hill. Pick the gear before the slope starts.
Common questions
What does 20 per cent on a hill sign mean?
The road climbs 20 metres for every 100 metres, the same as 1 in 5 (Know your traffic signs).
Are there climbing lanes on steep hills?
Some hills have a climbing or crawler lane. Use it if you are driving a slow vehicle or if others want to overtake (The Highway Code, rule 139).
Compare with
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (warning signs) and The Highway Code rules 139 and 155.
- Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 139, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 155, GOV.UK
- Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.