Large arrow sign: what it means
The large arrow sign shows that the road turns sharply in the direction of the arrow. It is placed on the outside of the turn.
What does the large arrow sign mean?
MUTCD Section 2C.10 says the One-Direction Large Arrow (W1-6) sign is a horizontal rectangle with an arrow pointing left or right. It is installed on the outside of a turn or curve, facing approaching traffic, and may supplement a Turn or Reverse Turn sign.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- The road ends at a T: turn left or right.
- The road turns sharply in the arrow’s direction.
- Pass to the right of the island or obstacle.
Show answer
B. The road turns sharply in the arrow’s direction. It marks a sharp change in the road’s direction (MUTCD Section 2C.10). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Section 2C.10, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA
Where will you see it?
On the outside of sharp turns and curves, facing you.
What should you do?
Slow down and turn the way the arrow points.
What do people get wrong?
Mixing it up with the two-direction arrow, which means the road ends at a T and you must turn left or right.
Common questions
Is it used at the end of a median?
No. Section 2C.10 says it shall not be used where there is no alignment change in your direction of travel.
How is it different from chevrons?
Chevrons are a series of small signs around a curve. The large arrow is one sign, and can be used instead of or with them.
Compare with
Chevron alignment signFollow the bend in the direction shown.
Two-direction large arrow signThe road ends at a T: turn left or right.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Section 2C.10.
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Section 2C.10, FHWA
- MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025
Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.