ADA GUIDELINES
A GUIDE TO ADA-COMPLIANT SIGNS
ADA-compliant signage provides vital wayfinding information to the blind, visually-impaired and mobility-impaired so that they can easily navigate through a building.
The ADA sets design standards for signs that identify a room, space or area as well as signs that relay relevant information about public settings. ADA signage is required by law for facilities and buildings, both public and private, with ten or more employees.
In general, ADA-compliant signs feature a non-glare finish, raised letters, graphics, braille and other tactile elements. Follow our guide below for an overview of ADA signage regulations.
What rooms require ADA signage?
Permanent rooms and spaces require ADA-compliant signage.
The key thing to remember is that if it's a room that is not likely to change over time, you are required to have a compliant ADA sign identifying it.
Most rooms generally fall under this designation, so it's a good idea to provide ADA signs to make our buildings accessible for everybody!
Required
restrooms
utility rooms
exits
meeting rooms
classrooms
stairs
conference rooms
common rooms
floor numbers
restrooms
utility rooms
exits
meeting rooms
classrooms
stairs
conference rooms
common rooms
floor numbers
Not Required
directional signs
informational signs
staff only signs
elevator signs
open hour signs
refuge signs
check-in signs
security signs
directional signs
informational signs
staff only signs
elevator signs
open hour signs
refuge signs
check-in signs
security signs
Finish and Contrast
Characters and background must have a non-glare finish.
There must also be adequate contrast with their background with either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.
ACCEPTABLE CONTRAST
UNACCEPTABLE CONTRAST
ACCEPTABLE CONTRAST >
UNACCEPTABLE CONTRAST >
Letter Styling
FONT STYLE >
Use ONLY sans serif fonts.
TEXT CASE >
Characters shall be uppercase.
FONT STYLE >
Use ONLY sans serif fonts.
TEXT CASE >
Characters shall be uppercase.
LETTER PROPORTIONS >
Characters shall be in a font in which the width of the uppercase letter "O" is at least 55% minimum to 110% maximum of the height of the uppercase "I".
The stroke thickness of the uppercase letter "I" shall be no more than 15% of the height of the character.
LETTER WIDTH
STROKE WEIGHT
LETTER WIDTH
STROKE WEIGHT
CHARACTER HEIGHT >
For permanent room signs, tactile characters must be in uppercase and a minimum of 5/8" and no more than 2" in height.
Overhead and flag mounted signs to have a character size of 2" in height. Upper and lower case are permissible.
For directional signage, character height must be appropriate for the viewing distance. Upper and lower case can also be used.
CHARACTER HEIGHT >
For permanent room signs, tactile characters must be in uppercase and a minimum of 5/8" and no more than 2" in height.
Overhead and flag mounted signs to have a character size of 2" in height. Upper and lower case are permissible.
For directional signage, character height must be appropriate for the viewing distance. Upper and lower case can also be used.
CHARACTER SPACING >
The distance between characters on tactile copy must be a minimum of 1/8" and a maximum of 4 times the character stroke width.
These distances are measured between the closest points of adjacent characters.
CHARACTER SPACING >
The distance between characters on tactile copy must be a minimum of 1/8" and a maximum of 4 times the character stroke width.
These distances are measured between the closest points of adjacent characters.
LINE SPACING >
Spacing between separate lines of raised copy must be a minimum of 135% and a maximum of 170% of the corresponding uppercase "I" height (measured from baseline to baseline).
Braille and Tactile Characters
BRAILLE TYPE >
Tactile characters must be accompanied by Grade II Braille.
BRAILLE SHAPE >
Braille must be domed in shape.
BRAILLE LOCATION >
Braille shall be located below the corresponding raised text and separated 3/8" from other characters, borders or edges.
TACTILE HEIGHT >
For permanent room signs, characters must be raised a minimum of 1/32" and accompanied by Grade II Braille.
BRAILLE TYPE >
Tactile characters must be accompanied by Grade II Braille.
BRAILLE SHAPE >
Braille must be domed in shape.
BRAILLE LOCATION >
Braille shall be located below the corresponding raised text and separated 3/8" from other characters, borders or edges.
TACTILE HEIGHT >
For permanent room signs, characters must be raised a minimum of 1/32" and accompanied by Grade II Braille.
Pictograms
PICTOGRAM PLACEMENT AND SIZE >
Pictograms must be in a space that is at least 6" high.
There is no specific rule on the size of the pictogram itself.
If text is going to be utilized on the sign, it must be placed directly below the symbol and not within the field.
PICTOGRAM PLACEMENT AND SIZE >
Pictograms must be in a space that is at least 6" high.
There is no specific rule on the size of the pictogram itself.
If text is going to be utilized on the sign, it must be placed directly below the symbol and not within the field.
Sign Position and Mounting Heights
WHY IS ADA SIGN POSITIONING IMPORTANT? >
- For the disabled, doorways are quicker to find signs, so having signage located in a consistent place across all buildings can greatly help in identifying a room.
- For the visually impaired who read by touch, providing ample space around a sign helps avoid any confusion with other elements.
- Requiring text to be displayed within the one foot space shown below allows signs to be easily read for both the disabled and non-disabled.
- For overhead mounting, the average height for an adult male over age 20 in the United States is 5' 9", so that leaves just a little less than a foot above his head.
WALL SIGN PLACEMENT >
Tactile signs are required to be mounted so that the baseline of the raised characters are between 48" and 60" above the floor.
Wall signs must be displayed on the latch side of the door in a space that is at least 18" wide. (In the case of double doors, it should be on the right).
Have less that 18" of space for the sign? Then it should be placed on the adjacent wall - not on the other side of the door.
OVERHEAD & DIRECTORY SIGN PLACEMENT >
The required mounting height for overhead mounted signage must be at least 80" from the floor. All text positioned about 72" much be 2" tall.
For directories and directional signage, the required mounting height must be at least 40" minimum above the finished floor, but not to exceed 72" for readability. All text positioned above 72" much be 2" tall or greater.
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DO YOU PREFER TO CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM SIGNAGE?
Simply create your basic sign by selecting your shape, background color, letter color & font. It's that easy! Work with a Schwaab product specialist to design your perfect sign.