Browse MUTCD Sign Series
MUTCD signs are organized in three ways: the manual’s top-level classifications (Regulatory, Warning, Guide, and more), the numbered sign-code groupswithin them (W20, R1, …), and this site’s curated collections. Browse any of the three below, with California-aware notes and downloads throughout.
Official Sign Classifications
The top-level functional classes FHWA uses for the Standard Highway Signs in the current MUTCD.
Regulatory Signs
Rules of the road. Convey legal requirements such as right-of-way, speed, turning, and parking (R-series).
View Regulatory
Warning Signs & Object Markers
Warn road users of conditions and hazards ahead, and mark fixed obstructions in or near the roadway (W- and OM-series).
View Warning
Guide Signs
Provide directions, destinations, distances, services, and route information (D-, E-, G-, and M-series).
View Guide
Temporary Traffic Control (TTC)
Warn and guide road users through work zones and other temporary traffic control situations.
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School Signs
Warn of school zones, crossings, and children present to enhance safety near schools (S-series).
View SchoolSign-Code Groups Currently Indexed
Numbered code groups (e.g. W20, R1) with per-sign detail, sizing, and downloads.
W20 Series
The W20 Series covers diamond-shaped fluorescent-orange warning signs used at the beginning of and throughout road work zones. These signs alert drivers to lane closures, road work ahead, flagger control, be-prepared-to-stop conditions, and changes in roadway geometry. The W20 Series is among the most frequently called-out sign series on California traffic control plans for utility construction, road maintenance, and public right-of-way work.
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W21 Series
The W21 Series includes warning signs that alert drivers to workers, equipment operators, and utility crews in or near the traveled way. These orange diamond signs are used wherever workers are exposed to traffic — at active excavation, equipment staging, utility operations, and shoulder maintenance. WORKERS (W21-1), SHOULDER WORK (W21-5), SHOULDER CLOSED (W21-5a), and UTILITY WORK AHEAD (W21-7) are commonly combined with the W20 Series advance warning to give drivers adequate advance notice of human presence near the roadway.
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W3 Series
The W3 Series covers warning signs that alert drivers to stopping and signaling conditions ahead. W3-4 (BE PREPARED TO STOP) is the most common W3 sign in temporary traffic control — used ahead of flagging stations, queues, and temporary traffic signals where drivers must be ready to stop. W3-1 (STOP AHEAD) is used where a stop sign or full stop is required before reaching the work area, and W3-3 (SIGNAL AHEAD) warns of a traffic signal — including a temporary work-zone signal — ahead.
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W4 Series
The W4 Series covers warning signs for merging lanes, added lanes, and lane-change conditions. In temporary traffic control, W4-2 (ADDED LANE) is used when a temporary lane is introduced — such as when a shoulder is opened as a travel lane or when a realigned lane configuration adds an approach. These signs help drivers anticipate a change in the number of available lanes before reaching the transition.
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W9 Series
The W9 Series includes warning signs for lane-ending and divided-highway transitions. W9-2 (LANE ENDS) is widely used in California work zones at the downstream end of a lane reduction taper to reinforce the merge for drivers who missed the upstream W20-5 series advance warning. It is also used at permanent lane drops. W9 signs complement the W4 and W20-5 series in lane-closure sequences.
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G20 Series
The G20 Series covers the work-zone guide signs that bound a temporary traffic control zone. G20-1 (ROAD WORK NEXT XX MILES) is posted at the start of an extended work zone, and G20-2 (END ROAD WORK) marks the downstream end, signaling to drivers that normal roadway conditions have resumed and work zone speed limits and restrictions no longer apply. The terminal G20-2 sign is placed at the downstream end of the termination area, just past the last channelizing device or transition.
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M4 Series
The M4 Series provides the directional detour markers used to guide vehicles — and in some cases pedestrians — around a road closure along an approved alternate route. M4-8 (DETOUR) and M4-9 (DETOUR with a directional arrow) mark each turn along a vehicle detour. M4-9a is the bicyclist/pedestrian detour marker, and M4-9b provides a pedestrian-specific detour path for sidewalk and crosswalk closures. These signs use fluorescent orange backgrounds in California temporary traffic control contexts.
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R1 Series
The R1 Series is the foundational right-of-way control series, covering STOP (R1-1) and YIELD (R1-2). These signs establish legal stop and yield obligations at intersections and access points. In temporary traffic control, R1 signs may appear at temporary intersections created by a detour, at flagging check-points where vehicles must stop before proceeding, or wherever a permanent signal has been knocked out and stop-control is required.
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R2 Series
The R2 Series covers speed limit regulatory signs (R2-1) used to set the legally enforceable maximum speed on a roadway or within a zone. In California work zones, a reduced speed limit — such as 25 MPH in an active work zone — must be authorized by the agency with jurisdiction before it can be posted. Fines for speeding in California work zones are doubled when workers are present, increasing the significance of proper R2-1 sign placement and authorization.
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R5 Series
The R5 Series covers regulatory signs that prohibit specific vehicle movements or restrict access. DO NOT ENTER (R5-1) and WRONG WAY (R5-1a) are the most critical signs in this series for California work zones. They are used wherever a closed ramp, one-way lane, or wrong-way entry hazard exists — protecting drivers who might otherwise enter a work zone in the wrong direction.
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R6 Series
The R6 Series includes ONE WAY signs used to establish and reinforce one-directional travel on a roadway. R6-1 (ONE WAY with left arrow) and R6-2 (ONE WAY with right arrow) are used in California work zones wherever a road or lane is reduced to one-way operation — including temporary contraflow lanes, crossovers, and channelized single-lane segments where head-on conflicts must be eliminated.
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R11 Series
The R11 Series provides the regulatory signs used to legally close a roadway to all or some traffic. ROAD CLOSED (R11-2), STREET CLOSED — LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY (R11-3a), and ROAD CLOSED TO THRU TRAFFIC (R11-4) are the core closure signs for California permit-based closures, emergency closures, and planned construction or maintenance operations. These signs carry legal authority — displaying them without an authorizing permit or agency approval can expose the contractor to liability.
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R9 Series
The R9 Series covers regulatory signs that direct and protect pedestrians and cyclists at crossings, sidewalk closures, and bike facilities. PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK (R9-8), SIDEWALK CLOSED (R9-9), SIDEWALK CLOSED — USE OTHER SIDE (R9-10), SIDEWALK CLOSED AHEAD — CROSS HERE (R9-11), and related signs are used in California whenever work activity closes or reroutes a sidewalk, crosswalk, or bicycle lane. These signs are part of the Temporary Pedestrian Access Route (TPAR) required on California TCPs that affect pedestrian pathways.
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R3 Series
The R3 Series covers regulatory signs that control turning movements, lane-use requirements, restricted movements, and channelization at intersections and roadway segments. This series includes turn prohibitions (No Right Turn, No Left Turn, No U-Turn, No Turns), channelization instructions (Keep Right, Keep Left), turn-only mandates (Right Turn Only, Left Turn Only), and movement permissions. In California work zones, R3 signs appear wherever lane closures, median work, or roadway realignment changes which movements are permissible at an affected intersection or approach. They carry the same legal weight as all regulatory signs and must be authorized by the agency with jurisdiction over the roadway.
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OM Series
The OM Series covers object markers — retroreflective warning devices used to delineate physical obstructions in or adjacent to the traveled way. OM1-3 (Type 1 object marker), OM2-2V (Type 2 vertical object marker), and OM3-L (Type 3 object marker) are used in California TCPs to mark bridge ends, island noses, channelizing device faces, guardrail ends, and other fixed hazards that drivers could strike. Object markers provide critical nighttime delineation in work zones.
View seriesBrowse Collections
Public Ready browse groups — helpful ways to explore the library. These are not separate official FHWA series.
Guide & Destination Signs
Green, blue, and brown guide signs that provide directions, destinations, distances, motorist services, and route information for California roadways.
View 228 Signs
Recreational & Cultural Interest Signs
Brown symbol signs that direct road users to parks, campgrounds, trailheads, and recreational or cultural points of interest.
View 119 Signs
California Construction Signs
Orange California-specific construction and temporary traffic control signs used in and around work zones on state and local roads.
View 41 SignsCustom browse groups — navigational shortcuts into the official classifications above, not separate official series.
How Sign Series Help
Faster Navigation
Find the right signs quickly by browsing organized, official MUTCD sign series.
Grouped by Function
Signs are grouped by their purpose so you can understand and apply them with confidence.
Easier Downloads
Download individual signs or entire series in your preferred formats for any project.
California Context
Get California-specific notes, adoptions, and work zone guidance when it matters.
Related Resources
California Notes
Review California MUTCD adoptions, updates, and state-specific guidance.
View California NotesDownloads & Resources
Access sign templates, guides, standards, and resources for design and compliance.
Go to DownloadsWorkZoneCompliance.com
Expert guidance for work zone compliance, training, and best practices.
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