Correct Traffic Cone & Road Sign Sizing

Getting the right size traffic cone is important, too big and it can be unwieldy (especially in off-highway applications) and too small could leave you open to legal issues in the event of an incident. With that in mind we have put together a guide on how to choose the best size cone for off road and on road usage.

Just How Big Is That Cone?

We have all driven past them on the motorway, but seeing them up close, they can often be bigger than expected.

All of our cones have their height noted in the description; however, it is often deceiving just how big a 1-metre unit can be. For this reason, we have put together a scale guide to help visualise their size.

Traffic Cone Scale

What Are The Legal Cone Size Requirements For On Road Use?

There are strict rules on the sizes of traffic cones that can be used within certain speed limits and carriageway layouts. This guide aims to explain the ins and outs of Cone legislation, as detailed in the 1995 Safety at Street Works and Road Works policy.

Primarily, the size of a traffic cone is determined by the speed limit of the road on which it is to be used, as well as the number of carriageways the road consists of.

These regulations are as follows:

Cone size	Where / when it applies	Reference
450 mm	For single carriageway (≤ 30 mph), single carriageway (31–41 mph), dual carriageway (≤ 40 mph)	Table A1.3, Part 1 / Part 2 (Wikisource)
750 mm	For single carriageway with 50 mph or more, dual carriageway 50 mph or more	Table A1.3, Part 1 / Part 2 (Wikisource)
1000 mm (1 m)	For motorways / dual carriageways at the national speed limit (hard shoulders)	Note 5, Table A1.3 (Wikisource)

The above information and details of cone sizes for use on motorways can be found in the "Chapter 8 Guidelines" on our regulations page. It is your responsibility to check the latest regulations to ensure compliance.

What Cone Size Should I Use Off Road?

If you are organising an event, managing parking areas or delineating lanes in a distribution depot, then there are no strict rules. However, we can lean on the rules set out in the "Chapter 8 Guidelines" to inform our choice;

For car and van traffic in car parks where vehicle speeds are expected to be up to 10-20mph, then 500-750mm cones would be recommended. With vehicles moving at slower speeds and potentially manoeuvring around the cones, having taller cones can ensure people see them and are not looking over the top of them.
For Lorry, HGV and plant equipment traffic, we recommend 750-1000mm cones to increase visibility as much as possible.

Need Help Finding The Right Cone?

Our sales team are here to help and can be easily contacted by phone or through our contact page. They will be able to assist you with any traffic cone questions you may have, ensuring you get the best value for money and ultimately the right cone for the job.