This article provides overview of common and less common inductor symbols.
An inductor, also called a coil, choke, winding, inductance or reactor, is a passive two-terminal electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it. An inductor typically consists of an insulated wire wound into a coil.
Circuit Schematic Symbols of Inductors
There are many different symbols that are used to represent inductors. The most common one is a coil of wire, but you may also see symbols that represent a solenoid or a spiral.
Inductor Symbol | Description | Inductor Symbol | Description |
![]() | Air core Inductor, general symbol. Alternative names: Choke, Coil, Winding. Earlier published in: IEC 60617-2018. | ![]() | Inductor, continuously variable. Remarks: The symbol is shown with magnetic core. Earlier published in: IEC 60617-2018. |
![]() | Inductor with magnetic core. Earlier published in: IEC 60617-2018. | ![]() | Inductor with moveable contact, variable in steps. Earlier published in: IEC 60617-2018. |
![]() | Inductor with gap in magnetic core. Earlier published in: IEC 60617-2018. | ![]() | Variometer. Earlier published in: IEC 60617-2018. |
![]() | Inductor with fixed tappings. Remarks: The symbol is shown with two tappings (taps). Earlier published in: IEC 60617-2018. | ![]() | Ferrite core inductor symbol. |
![]() | Iron core inductor symbol. | ![]() | Variable inductor symbol (general). |
![]() | Shielded inductor symbol. | ![]() | Preset inductor symbol. |
![]() | Coaxial choke with magnetic core. Earlier published in: IEC 60617-2018. | ![]() | Symbol of Bifilar Inductor. |
![]() | Reactor, general symbol. Alternative names: Choke. Earlier published in: IEC 60617-2018. | ![]() | Transductor symbol. When windings are separated on a drawing, suitable indication shall be provided to show that they are on the same core. Earlier published in: IEEE Std 315-1975 (Reaffirmed 1993) |