How to Read a Cattle Brand
Master the art of interpreting livestock brands with this interactive visual guide. These same rules apply across all 50 states.
ABReading Order
Brands are read in a specific order: left to right, top to bottom, and outside to inside. These three rules apply to every brand.
Left to Right
Read horizontal elements from left to right, just like reading text.
B
TTop to Bottom
Read stacked or vertical elements from the top down.
BLOutside to Inside
Read encircling elements first, then what's inside them.
A
R
JCThe 8 Position System
Letters, numbers, and symbols can be rotated to 8 different positions around the clock. Each position has a specific name used when reading the brand.
Position Examples
Common Brand Symbols
Beyond letters and numbers, these traditional symbols appear in brands across the country.
Acorn
Anchor
Animal Head
Animals
Anvil
Arrow
Arrowhead
Axe Bar
Bell
Staple
Bird Swan
Bone
Boot
Bottle Box
Half Box Left
Half Box RightFree Comprehensive Symbol List, View or Download:
symbols download.
Secondary Design Elements
These elements combine with letters and numbers to create unique brand designs.
Bar Horizontal line Slash Diagonal line
Rafter Inverted V Circle Enclosing ring Quarter Circle Curved arc Diamond Diamond shape Box Square
Bench Splayed legs
Wings Flying
Heart Heart shapeModifiers & Combinations
Secondary elements like bars, quarter circles, and wings modify how a letter or number is read. These create distinctive and unique brand identities.
A A A AComplex Brand Examples
Real brands often combine multiple elements and rules. Here are examples showing how the reading rules work together.
6IIBC LSymbol Naming Conventions
The same basic shape can have different names depending on its orientation or position. Understanding these conventions is essential for correctly reading brands.
Lines Change Names by Orientation
V-Shapes and Open Letters
Boxes and Enclosures
Circular Elements
Letter Style Modifiers
Test Your Knowledge
Think you've got the hang of reading brands? Take this quiz to test your skills!
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