The GHS Skull and Crossbones Pictogram: What It Means

Skull and crossbones pictogram (GHS06): red diamond border with a black symbol on white — **GHS06 · Skull and crossbones**
Used for acute toxicity (fatal or toxic).

Short answer: the skull and crossbones pictogram warns of acute toxicity that is fatal or toxic — a single exposure by swallowing, skin contact or inhalation can kill or seriously poison. It always carries the signal word Danger. It is one of the eight pictograms OSHA requires on chemical labels.

What the skull and crossbones covers

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard pictogram QuickCard (OSHA 3491, 2024 revision) lists one hazard for it: acute toxicity (fatal or toxic). Long-term effects such as cancer are not shown with the skull and crossbones; they use the health hazard pictogram.

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Hazard statements and signal words

From Appendix C to 29 CFR 1910.1200, section C.4:

Route	Category 1 and 2	Category 3	Category 4 (exclamation mark)
Oral	Danger — Fatal if swallowed	Danger — Toxic if swallowed	Warning — Harmful if swallowed
Dermal	Danger — Fatal in contact with skin	Danger — Toxic in contact with skin	Warning — Harmful in contact with skin
Inhalation	Danger — Fatal if inhaled	Danger — Toxic if inhaled	Warning — Harmful if inhaled

Categories 1 to 3 use the skull and crossbones with Danger. Category 4, the harmful range, switches to the exclamation mark with Warning.

What it looks like

Appendix C to 29 CFR 1910.1200 defines every pictogram the same way: a square set at a point with a black hazard symbol on a white background and a red frame wide enough to be clearly visible (C.2.3.1), which is why pictograms look like red diamonds. A red frame with no symbol inside is not a pictogram and is not permitted on a label, and each pictogram may appear only once on a label even when several hazards call for it (C.2.3.4).

Skull and crossbones vs. exclamation mark

Both signal acute toxicity at different severities, so Appendix C does not allow both for the same hazard: if the skull and crossbones is on a label, the exclamation mark must not appear where it would be used for acute toxicity (C.2.1.2). The exclamation mark can still appear for another hazard, such as skin irritation.

A common product that carries it

Methanol is the one many shops actually stock: its sheet shows the skull and crossbones together with the flame and health hazard pictograms. To label a smaller container, use the free GHS label maker.

Free, no signup: SDS search finds the manufacturer's safety data sheet for a product, and section 2 of that sheet lists exactly which hazards earned the pictogram. Then use the free GHS label maker to print a label with the right pictograms for a spray bottle or other secondary container.

Frequently asked questions

What does the skull and crossbones pictogram mean?

It warns of acute toxicity that is fatal or toxic: the chemical can kill or seriously poison after a single exposure by swallowing, skin contact or inhalation. It carries the signal word Danger.

What signal word goes with the skull and crossbones?

Danger. Acute toxicity categories 1, 2 and 3 all carry Danger with the statements Fatal or Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled. Category 4 uses the exclamation mark with Warning instead.

Does the skull and crossbones mean a chemical causes cancer?

No. Cancer and other long-term effects are shown with the health hazard pictogram. The skull and crossbones is only for acute toxicity in the fatal or toxic range.

Can the skull and crossbones and the exclamation mark be on the same label?

Not for acute toxicity: if the skull and crossbones is on the label, the exclamation mark must not appear for acute toxicity. It can appear for a different hazard such as skin or eye irritation.

This guide summarises the cited rules for general information and is not legal advice.

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