---
type: "gdt-symbol"
name: "Circular Runout"
symbol: "↗"
unicode: "U+2197"
category: "runout"
category_name: "Runout controls"
datum_required: "always"
tolerance_zone: "Full indicator movement in each single cross-section"
aliases: ["circular runout gdt", "runout", "total runout vs circular runout"]
standard: "ASME Y14.5 (cited, not reproduced); ISO 1101"
verified: "August 1, 2026"
url: https://shopmath.org/gdt/circular-runout
---

# Circular Runout (↗) — GD&T Symbol, Tolerance Zone and Datum Rules

Measured by spinning the part about its datum axis and reading a fixed indicator at one cross-section: the total needle sweep must not exceed the tolerance. Each section is judged on its own, so circular runout catches roundness and centring errors but tolerates taper down the length.

- **Symbol**: ↗ (Unicode U+2197)
- **Category**: Runout controls
- **Tolerance zone**: Full indicator movement in each single cross-section
- **Datum reference**: always references at least one datum
- **Standard**: ASME Y14.5 (cited, not reproduced); ISO 1101

## Circular Runout at a Glance

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Characteristic | Circular Runout |
| Symbol | ↗ |
| Unicode codepoint | U+2197 |
| Category | Runout controls |
| Tolerance zone | Full indicator movement in each single cross-section |
| Datum reference | always references at least one datum |
| Standard | ASME Y14.5 (cited, not reproduced); ISO 1101 |

## How Circular Runout Behaves

Circular Runout belongs to the runout controls group. Control composite error measured while the part rotates about a datum axis.

## Other Runout controls Controls

The controls in the same category — the ones a drawing is choosing between when it specifies circular runout.

| Control | Symbol | Tolerance zone or effect | Datum |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Total Runout](https://shopmath.org/gdt/total-runout.md) | ⌰ | Full indicator movement across the whole surface | always references at least one datum |

## Sources and Method for Circular Runout

### Circular Runout definition

- **Source**: Symbols and codepoints: Unicode Character Database (Unicode License v3). Characteristic list cross-checked against NASA MSFC GD&T Basics (public domain). Descriptions written from scratch; no ASME Y14.5 text reproduced.
- **Method**: compiled
- **Verified against**: Unicode Character Database codepoint check; 98/98 structural checks passed

### Assumptions

- Descriptions are original prose. No ASME Y14.5 definitional text, worked example or figure is reproduced — the standard is cited, not copied.
- Symbol glyphs and codepoints are from the Unicode Character Database; a drawing may render the same characteristic with a different font.
- Dataset scope: EXCLUDED: all ASME Y14.5 definitional text, worked examples and figures. Every description on this site is original prose.

**Data last verified**: August 1, 2026

## Common Questions About Circular Runout in GD&T

### What does Circular Runout mean in GD&T?

Measured by spinning the part about its datum axis and reading a fixed indicator at one cross-section: the total needle sweep must not exceed the tolerance. Each section is judged on its own, so circular runout catches roundness and centring errors but tolerates taper down the length.

### What is the GD&T symbol for circular runout?

Circular Runout uses the ↗ symbol — Unicode U+2197. It sits in the first compartment of the feature control frame.

### Does Circular Runout need a datum?

Circular Runout always references at least one datum. Without a datum reference frame the control has no origin to measure from.

### What is the tolerance zone for Circular Runout in GD&T?

The circular runout tolerance zone is: Full indicator movement in each single cross-section.

## Related pages

- Previous control: [Symmetry](https://shopmath.org/gdt/symmetry.md) (⌯)
- Next control: [Total Runout](https://shopmath.org/gdt/total-runout.md) (⌰)
- All symbols: [GD&T symbol reference](https://shopmath.org/gdt.md)
- Tolerances: [ISO 286 fit reference](https://shopmath.org/fits.md)

---

*Source: [ShopMath](https://shopmath.org/gdt/circular-runout) — data verified August 1, 2026. Reference data; verify against the governing standard before manufacture.*