Flow chart facts for kids

A simple flowchart, which shows what to do, when a lamp does not work.

A flowchart is a special kind of diagram that uses boxes and arrows. It helps you understand how things work step-by-step. Think of it like a map for a process!

Flowcharts can show you:

• An algorithm: This is like a recipe or a list of steps to solve a problem.
• A process: This is a series of stages that lead to a final result or goal.
• The planned steps for a project.

Flowcharts use different shapes and lines:

• Boxes show actions or steps in the process.
• Arrows show the order of these steps. They also show different choices you can make.
• Other shapes can show things like materials, decisions, people, or time.

Flowchart Shapes and What They Mean

Flowcharts use special shapes to mean different things. You usually read them from top to bottom and left to right. This is called "flowing" through the chart.

Shape	Name	What it means
	Flow Line	This is an arrow that shows the direction the flowchart goes. It tells you which step comes next.
	Terminal	This shape is usually a circle or oval. It shows where the flowchart starts or ends. It might say "Start" or "End".
	Process	This is a rectangle. It means something is being done or performed. For example, "Add 1 to X" or "save changes".
	Decision	This shape is a diamond. It means you need to make a choice, usually a "Yes" or "No" question. Arrows coming out of it will show what happens for each choice.
	Input/Output	This shape is a parallelogram. It means you are either getting information (input) or showing information (output). For example, "Get X from the user" or "display X".
	Annotation	This shape is for comments or notes about the flowchart. It doesn't change how the flowchart works.
	Predefined Process	This is a rectangle with double lines on the sides. It means there's a more complex set of steps that might be explained in another flowchart.
	Preparation	This shape is a hexagon. It shows steps that get something ready for a later decision or action.
	On-Page Connector	This is usually a circle. It helps connect parts of a flowchart on the same page, especially if it's a big chart.
	Off-Page Connector	This shape looks like a home plate in baseball. It's like the on-page connector, but it connects parts of the flowchart that are on different pages.

Flowchart Software

Flowgorithm, an application used to create programs from flowcharts

There are many computer programs that help you make flowcharts. Some software lets you design flowcharts to plan out a computer program. Other programs can even turn your flowchart into a real computer program!

Some popular software for making flowcharts include Microsoft Visio, yEd, and Inkscape.

Related pages

• Chart
• Diagram

Images for kids

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  Flowchart of a for loop in programming, like in C-style code.