Proofreading Marks Reference
Common proofreading marks
A concise reference to common traditional English-language proofreading marks.
This is a practical reference, not an ISO or BSI marks card. Follow the house style supplied by your editor, publisher, client, or instructor.
ISO 5776:2022 is the current international standard, and BS 5261-2:2005 is a British standard. They may use different graphical conventions from the shorthand shown here.
- Choose a mark group
- Browse the marks
- See an example
Choose a correction type
Use this practical reference to recognise 14 common traditional English-language proofreading marks. Choose a category, compare the margin shorthand with the mark in the text, then open an example. These simplified text examples are a learning aid, not a reproduction of a formal standard.
How to use the reference
-
1
Choose a category
Start with insertion, change, type style or paragraph layout.
-
2
Match the two parts
Read the margin instruction together with the caret, line, dots or other mark placed in the text.
-
3
Open a practical example
Compare the before, marked and after text to understand the requested correction.
-
4
Check the house style
Follow the editor, publisher, client or instructor because symbol shapes and conventions can differ.
Insert text or space
| Shorthand | Mark in the text | Instruction |
|---|---|---|
^ |
caret at the intended position | insert the indicated text |
# |
# between joined words |
add a missing space |
Change or reverse
| Shorthand | Mark in the text | Instruction |
|---|---|---|
⁐ |
arc joining the two parts | remove the space |
dele |
the marked text is struck through | delete the marked text |
tr |
curved line linking the items to swap | reverse the order of the two marked items |
stet |
dots under the prior change | ignore the previous correction and keep the original |
dele is deletion shorthand. It is not a delta symbol.
Case and type style
| Shorthand | Mark in the text | Instruction |
|---|---|---|
cap |
underline or margin instruction identifies the letters | change the marked letters to capitals |
lc |
margin instruction identifies the letters | change the marked letters to lowercase |
ital |
underline or margin instruction identifies the text | set the marked text in italics |
rom |
margin instruction identifies the text | return the marked text to roman type |
bf |
margin instruction identifies the text | set the marked text in bold |
sp |
margin instruction identifies an abbreviation | write the abbreviation in full |
The cap and lc instructions apply only where the writing system has letter case. They do not transfer unchanged to scripts without uppercase and lowercase.
Paragraph layout
| Shorthand | Mark in the text | Instruction |
|---|---|---|
¶ |
paragraph sign marks the break | begin a new paragraph |
run on |
margin instruction joins paragraphs | combine the two paragraphs |
Scope and standards
This page is a curated reference to common traditional English-language practice. It does not reproduce or certify compliance with a paid standard. ISO 5776:2022 is the current international standard for text proof-correction symbols. BS 5261-2:2005 is a British standard. Their graphical conventions can differ, and a publisher or client may use its own house style.
Margin and in-text marks work as a pair. In digital editorial workflows, comments, PDF annotations and tracked changes may replace or supplement handwritten marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It covers 14 common traditional English-language conventions. Specialist marks and house styles may use other symbols.
No. The examples are simplified text representations for learning. Consult the official standard and the required house style for formal work.
The in-text mark identifies the location, while the corresponding note in the margin gives or reinforces the instruction.
Stet tells the reader to ignore an earlier correction and keep the original text. Dots under the affected text commonly reinforce it.
Sometimes, especially in annotated PDFs. Many teams instead use comments or tracked changes, so always follow the agreed workflow.
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