Ironing symbols are the small iron shapes printed on the care label inside your clothing. They tell you how hot your iron can safely get and whether steam is allowed. Reading them before you press saves you from scorched fabric, shiny patches and shrunken seams. A quick look at the label takes seconds and can save a favorite shirt.
Each symbol uses dots for heat, and more dots mean more heat. A crossed-out mark means that step is off limits, such as steam or ironing itself. Those two ideas cover the whole set, so you can read any label with confidence.
6 symbols
Ironing symbols
Iron, any temperature
Ironing allowed at any setting, with or without steam.
Any setting on your iron is fine, so pick the heat that suits the fabric in front of you. Test a hidden spot first if the material is unfamiliar or delicate.
Iron, low (1 dot)
Low setting only; no steam (international guide). (up to 110°C / 230°F)
Dial the iron to its lowest dot setting and leave steam off. Use this for delicate fabrics where heat is the main risk, and check the seams and hems as you go.
Iron, medium (2 dots)
Medium setting at most. (up to 150°C / 300°F)
Set the dial to the middle setting and do not go any higher, even if your iron offers more heat. Work through the garment in small sections so no area sits under the plate for too long.
Iron, high (3 dots)
High setting at most (cotton/linen). (up to 200°C / 390°F)
Use the hottest setting your iron offers, but never above this mark. Cotton and linen are the usual fabrics for this symbol, so keep the iron moving to avoid scorching.
Do not steam
No steam; dry ironing at the marked setting is fine.
Turn steam off and iron dry at the marked setting. You do not need steam to get a smooth result, so there is no reason to add it.
Do not iron
Do not smooth or finish with an iron.
Skip the iron completely and smooth the garment by hand or let it hang straight to dry. Read the rest of the label before you decide how to care for it.
Tips
How to read the symbols together
Most care labels show a single iron symbol, and the number of dots tells you the highest heat that is safe. Read the iron symbol next to the washing and drying marks, because all of them affect how the same garment should be cared for.
If the label also shows a steam restriction, follow that along with the heat limit rather than choosing only one. Treat every dot count as a ceiling you should not exceed, so setting the dial lower is always the safe choice. Once you know the dot system, most labels become quick to read at a glance.
What dots and crosses mean
Dots set the heat level, with one dot for low, two for medium and three for high. A crossed-out iron means do not iron at all, which is a different rule from the heat dots.
The do not steam mark means no steam, but dry ironing at the marked setting is still fine. Each dot count is a maximum temperature, so anything cooler is also allowed. Keeping those three ideas separate stops most label mistakes before they start.
What to do when there is no label
Care labels are sewn inside most garments, but some items arrive without one or with a faded print. In that case, choose the lowest heat your iron offers and skip steam until you know more.
Test a small hidden area first, such as an inside seam, and watch how the fabric responds. If it looks or feels damaged, stop and let it cool before deciding on the next step. Keep the label from a similar garment in the same material too, since it can help you spot the right symbols quickly.
Common mix-ups
The one dot and two dot symbols look similar at a glance, so count the dots twice before you set the dial. The do not steam and do not iron marks are different, so a steam restriction does not mean you cannot press at all.
People also mistake the symbol with no dots for a restriction, but it actually allows any setting. If you are unsure which mark you are seeing, go with the lower setting until you can confirm it.
Heat and steam as separate rules
Heat and steam are separate instructions, and a label can give you one without the other. The any-temperature mark allows steam, while the one-dot mark and the do not steam mark rule it out.
Read each symbol on its own rather than assuming a steam rule carries over from another mark. When you are unsure whether steam is allowed, dry ironing at the marked setting is the safer route.
Questions
What does the do not iron symbol mean?
It means you should not smooth or finish the garment with an iron. Use another method to get wrinkles out, such as hanging the piece or smoothing it by hand. Check the rest of the label for any other care instructions.
What does one dot on an iron symbol mean?
One dot means low heat only, and steam is not allowed, based on the international guide. The maximum temperature is 110°C or 230°F. Set your iron to its lowest setting and keep the plate moving.
What does two dots on an iron symbol mean?
Two dots mean the iron can go to medium at most. The maximum temperature is 150°C or 300°F. Stay at the middle setting even if your iron has a hotter option.
What does three dots on an iron symbol mean?
Three dots mean high heat is allowed, up to 200°C or 390°F. This setting is usually meant for cotton and linen. Keep the iron moving so the fabric does not scorch in one spot.
What does an iron symbol with no dots mean?
An iron with no dots and no cross means you can iron at any setting. Steam is also allowed with this mark. Choose the heat that suits the specific fabric.
Does do not steam mean I cannot iron the garment?
No. Do not steam means you should avoid steam, but dry ironing at the marked setting is fine. Turn steam off and keep the heat at or below the dot limit shown.
Can a label show both a heat dot and a steam mark?
Yes, and you should follow both. Keep the heat at or below the dot limit and turn steam off if the steam mark is crossed out. Following both marks protects the fabric from heat and moisture damage.
Is a dot setting an exact temperature?
No. Each dot count is a maximum, so you can always go lower than the temperature shown.
Lower settings are always allowed under the same mark. Going higher than the limit is the mistake to avoid.