2026-04-07 • GHS Pictograms Team
GHS hazard pictograms are the red-diamond symbols you see on chemical labels and in Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Their job is simple: communicate the type of hazard quickly and consistently, across languages and across borders. Whether you work in EHS, lab operations, logistics, packaging design, or manufacturing, pictograms are a key part of safe handling and compliant labelling. They do not replace training or risk assessment, but they provide a standardized visual warning system that helps reduce accidents, miscommunication, and costly compliance issues. In this guide, you’ll learn what GHS pictograms are, how many exist, what each one means, and how to apply them correctly under the UN GHS system and the EU CLP Regulation.
What Are GHS Pictograms?
GHS pictograms are standardized hazard symbols defined by the United Nations as part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). A pictogram has a specific visual format: a black hazard symbol on a white background, framed by a red diamond-shaped border (a square rotated 45 degrees). The visual format is designed to be recognizable at a glance.
The goal of GHS is global consistency. Different countries historically used different hazard symbols and classification approaches, which created confusion in international trade and increased the risk of incidents. GHS provides a shared “language” for hazard communication. The European Union implements GHS through the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, which sets detailed rules on classification, labelling, and packaging. In practice, this means you’ll see the same nine pictograms on labels and SDS documents across most markets, even though some local rules can affect classification thresholds and statement selection. (This guide references the UN GHS and the CLP approach commonly used in the EU.)
How Many GHS Pictograms Are There?
There are 9 official GHS pictograms, numbered GHS01 through GHS09. These are the standard set used internationally for chemical hazard communication. If you are searching for “how many GHS pictograms are there,” the answer is nine. Not every chemical uses all nine—most labels show only the pictograms relevant to that substance or mixture’s hazard classification. Priority rules can also reduce the number of pictograms that appear when multiple hazards apply.
What Color Is the Diamond of a GHS Pictogram?
The diamond border of a GHS pictogram is red. Inside the red diamond, the background is white, and the hazard symbol is black. This red/white/black combination is mandated by the GHS standard and CLP Regulation to ensure high visibility, strong contrast, and consistent recognition. Red attracts attention quickly, which is exactly what you want for warnings. The color standardization also prevents “creative” variations that could weaken the signal, cause confusion, or lead to non-compliant labels.
All 9 GHS Pictograms Explained
Below is a practical explanation of each pictogram, including what it means, example substances, and common hazard statement codes (H-statements) associated with it. For each symbol, you can also open the dedicated pictogram page on this site.
GHS01 — Exploding Bomb (Explosive)
What it means: Explosives and substances/mixtures that can explode or undergo violent decomposition. This includes certain self-reactive substances and some organic peroxides.\n Examples: TNT, organic peroxides.\n H-statements: H200, H201, H202, H203, H204, H205.\n Link: View GHS01 pictogram →
GHS02 — Flame (Flammable)
What it means: Materials that ignite easily—flammable gases, aerosols, liquids, and solids. This pictogram is common on solvents and fuels.\n Examples: ethanol, acetone, hydrogen.\n H-statements: H225, H226, H228, H220.\n Link: View GHS02 pictogram →
GHS03 — Flame Over Circle (Oxidising)
What it means: Oxidisers—substances that can cause or intensify fire by releasing oxygen or supporting combustion. They may not be flammable themselves but can make other materials burn more intensely.\n Examples: hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate.\n H-statements: H270, H271, H272.\n Link: View GHS03 pictogram →
GHS04 — Gas Cylinder (Compressed Gas)
What it means: Gases under pressure, including compressed, liquefied, dissolved, and refrigerated liquefied gases. These can explode if heated or cause cold burns (cryogenic injury).\n Examples: nitrogen, CO2, LPG.\n H-statements: H280, H281.\n Link: View GHS04 pictogram →
GHS05 — Corrosion (Corrosive)
What it means: Corrosive to metals and/or causes severe skin burns and serious eye damage. This pictogram is associated with strong acids and bases.\n Examples: sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide.\n H-statements: H290, H314.\n Link: View GHS05 pictogram →
GHS06 — Skull and Crossbones (Acute Toxicity)
What it means: Acute toxicity with potentially fatal effects (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact) at low doses. This symbol indicates a high-severity, immediate hazard.\n Examples: methanol, arsenic compounds.\n H-statements: H300, H310, H330.\n Link: View GHS06 pictogram →
GHS07 — Exclamation Mark (Harmful)
What it means: Less severe health hazards such as skin/eye irritation, skin sensitization, or harmful acute toxicity (higher dose than skull and crossbones). It also applies to certain respiratory tract irritation hazards.\n Examples: isopropanol, bleach.\n H-statements: H302, H312, H315, H317, H319.\n Link: View GHS07 pictogram →
GHS08 — Health Hazard (Serious Health Hazard)
What it means: Chronic or serious health hazards, such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitization, specific target organ toxicity (STOT), and aspiration hazard.\n Examples: benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos.\n H-statements: H340, H350, H360, H372.\n Link: View GHS08 pictogram →
GHS09 — Environment (Hazardous to Aquatic Environment)
What it means: Aquatic toxicity—substances that are toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause long-lasting environmental effects.\n Examples: tributyltin, nonylphenol.\n H-statements: H400, H410, H411.\n Link: View GHS09 pictogram →
GHS Pictogram Priority Rules
On real labels, you’ll often see 2–4 pictograms, not all nine. That’s partly because many substances have only a few hazard classes—but it’s also because priority rules prevent redundant symbols. For example, a severe acute toxicity classification (skull and crossbones, GHS06) can make the exclamation mark (GHS07) unnecessary for the same type of hazard. Similarly, some explosive/self-reactive classifications can make other pictograms less informative from a hazard communication perspective.
In the EU, CLP sets detailed rules for when certain pictograms may be omitted if another, more severe pictogram is present. These rules are intended to keep labels readable and focused on the most critical risks. A good practical approach is: start from your hazard classification, apply the CLP pictogram rules, then apply priority rules so that the final label is both compliant and clear. If you are building labels for mixtures, always validate against the supplier’s SDS and the product’s final classification—priority decisions depend on the exact hazard categories.
GHS Pictograms on Labels: Size Requirements
Pictogram size is not “designer’s choice.” Under CLP, minimum pictogram size depends on the container volume and corresponding minimum label size. The most commonly referenced thresholds are from CLP Annex I (Table 1.3). Here is a practical summary:
| Container volume | Minimum label size | Minimum pictogram size |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 3 L | 52 × 74 mm | 16 × 16 mm |
| 3–50 L | 74 × 105 mm | 23 × 23 mm |
| 50–500 L | 105 × 148 mm | 32 × 32 mm |
| > 500 L | 148 × 210 mm | 46 × 46 mm |
These are minimums. If you have enough space, larger pictograms can improve visibility—especially for warehouse handling and transport. But always maintain the correct format: red diamond border, white background, black symbol, and the correct proportion. If you want to build a label quickly with compliant sizes and a clean layout, use our tool:
Conclusion
GHS pictograms are the fastest way to communicate chemical hazards visually. There are nine official symbols, each tied to specific hazard classes and common H-statement ranges. Correct use isn’t just about selecting the right symbol—it’s also about following CLP rules for format, size, and priority so your label stays clear and compliant. If you want a practical shortcut, use our free tool to build a compliant label based on your substance’s classification.
Use our free GHS Label Constructor to build a compliant label with the correct pictograms for your substance: Start here →