Flowcharts - Basic Syntax

Flowcharts are composed of nodes (geometric shapes) and edges (arrows or lines). The Mermaid code defines how nodes and edges are made and accommodates different arrow types, multi-directional arrows, and any linking to and from subgraphs.

If you are using the word "end" in a Flowchart node, capitalize the entire word or any of the letters (e.g., "End" or "END"), or apply this [workaround](https://github.com/mermaid-js/mermaid/issues/1444#issuecomment-639528897). Typing "end" in all lowercase letters will break the Flowchart.

If you are using the letter "o" or "x" as the first letter in a connecting Flowchart node, add a space before the letter or capitalize the letter (e.g., "dev--- ops", "dev---Ops").

Typing "A---oB" will create a [circle edge](#circle-edge-example).

Typing "A---xB" will create a [cross edge](#cross-edge-example).

A node (default)

---
title: Node
---
flowchart LR
    id

The id is what is displayed in the box.

Instead of `flowchart` one can also use `graph`.

A node with text

It is also possible to set text in the box that differs from the id. If this is done several times, it is the last text found for the node that will be used. Also if you define edges for the node later on, you can omit text definitions. The one previously defined will be used when rendering the box.

---
title: Node with text
---
flowchart LR
    id1[This is the text in the box]

Unicode text

Use " to enclose the unicode text.

flowchart LR
    id["This ❤ Unicode"]

Markdown formatting

Use double quotes and backticks "` text `" to enclose the markdown text.

---
config:
  flowchart:
    htmlLabels: false
---
flowchart LR
    markdown["`This **is** _Markdown_`"]
    newLines["`Line1
    Line 2
    Line 3`"]
    markdown --> newLines

Direction

This statement declares the direction of the Flowchart.

This declares the flowchart is oriented from top to bottom (TD or TB).

flowchart TD
    Start --> Stop

This declares the flowchart is oriented from left to right (LR).

flowchart LR
    Start --> Stop

Possible FlowChart orientations are:

• TB - Top to bottom
• TD - Top-down/ same as top to bottom
• BT - Bottom to top
• RL - Right to left
• LR - Left to right

Node shapes

A node with round edges

flowchart LR
    id1(This is the text in the box)

A stadium-shaped node

flowchart LR
    id1([This is the text in the box])

A node in a subroutine shape

flowchart LR
    id1[[This is the text in the box]]

A node in a cylindrical shape

flowchart LR
    id1[(Database)]

A node in the form of a circle

flowchart LR
    id1((This is the text in the circle))

A node in an asymmetric shape

flowchart LR
    id1>This is the text in the box]

Currently only the shape above is possible and not its mirror. This might change with future releases.

A node (rhombus)

flowchart LR
    id1{This is the text in the box}

A hexagon node

flowchart LR
    id1{{This is the text in the box}}

Parallelogram

flowchart TD
    id1[/This is the text in the box/]

Parallelogram alt

flowchart TD
    id1[\This is the text in the box\]

Trapezoid

flowchart TD
    A[/Christmas\]

Trapezoid alt

flowchart TD
    B[\Go shopping/]

Double circle

flowchart TD
    id1(((This is the text in the circle)))

Expanded Node Shapes in Mermaid Flowcharts (v11.3.0+)

Mermaid introduces 30 new shapes to enhance the flexibility and precision of flowchart creation. These new shapes provide more options to represent processes, decisions, events, data storage visually, and other elements within your flowcharts, improving clarity and semantic meaning.

New Syntax for Shape Definition

Mermaid now supports a general syntax for defining shape types to accommodate the growing number of shapes. This syntax allows you to assign specific shapes to nodes using a clear and flexible format:

A@{ shape: rect }

This syntax creates a node A as a rectangle. It renders in the same way as A["A"], or A.

Complete List of New Shapes

Below is a comprehensive list of the newly introduced shapes and their corresponding semantic meanings, short names, and aliases:

Example Flowchart with New Shapes

Here’s an example flowchart that utilizes some of the newly introduced shapes:

flowchart RL
    A@{ shape: manual-file, label: "File Handling"}
    B@{ shape: manual-input, label: "User Input"}
    C@{ shape: docs, label: "Multiple Documents"}
    D@{ shape: procs, label: "Process Automation"}
    E@{ shape: paper-tape, label: "Paper Records"}

Process

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: rect, label: "This is a process" }

Event

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: rounded, label: "This is an event" }

Terminal Point (Stadium)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: stadium, label: "Terminal point" }

Subprocess

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: subproc, label: "This is a subprocess" }

Database (Cylinder)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: cyl, label: "Database" }

Start (Circle)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: circle, label: "Start" }

Odd

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: odd, label: "Odd shape" }

Decision (Diamond)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: diamond, label: "Decision" }

Prepare Conditional (Hexagon)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: hex, label: "Prepare conditional" }

Data Input/Output (Lean Right)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: lean-r, label: "Input/Output" }

Data Input/Output (Lean Left)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: lean-l, label: "Output/Input" }

Priority Action (Trapezoid Base Bottom)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: trap-b, label: "Priority action" }

Manual Operation (Trapezoid Base Top)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: trap-t, label: "Manual operation" }

Stop (Double Circle)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: dbl-circ, label: "Stop" }

Text Block

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: text, label: "This is a text block" }

Card (Notched Rectangle)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: notch-rect, label: "Card" }

Lined/Shaded Process

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: lin-rect, label: "Lined process" }

Start (Small Circle)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: sm-circ, label: "Small start" }

Stop (Framed Circle)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: framed-circle, label: "Stop" }

Fork/Join (Long Rectangle)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: fork, label: "Fork or Join" }

Collate (Hourglass)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: hourglass, label: "Collate" }

Comment (Curly Brace)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: comment, label: "Comment" }

Comment Right (Curly Brace Right)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: brace-r, label: "Comment" }

Comment with braces on both sides

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: braces, label: "Comment" }

Com Link (Lightning Bolt)

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: bolt, label: "Communication link" }

Document

flowchart TD
    A@{ shape: doc,