What is the shape of a Stop sign?

• A. Circle
• B. Triangle
• C. Diamond
• D. Octagon

Answer: (D)

In road signs, shape is used to convey the type of instruction at a glance. The Stop sign is eight-sided, an octagon, which makes it instantly recognizable even from a distance or in low visibility. That unique octagonal shape is what tells drivers to come to a complete stop before proceeding. Other common shapes communicate different messages: a circle signals railroad crossings, a triangle indicates a yield, and a diamond warns of hazards ahead. The eight-sided octagon is specific to stop signs, which is why this is the correct shape to remember.