Pictograms for visual schedules: how to choose them and where to find free sets

What are pictograms?

A pictogram, also called a picture symbol or visual symbol, is a simplified drawing that stands for one thing: eating, a toilet, a car, a bath, "wait", "finished". Unlike a photo, it leaves out details that do not matter. A pictogram of "eat" does not show a specific plate on a specific table; it shows the idea of eating.

That makes pictograms useful in a visual schedule. The same pictogram can mean breakfast at home, lunch at school and dinner at a grandparent's house. They are also used for communication boards, labels on cupboards, social stories and step-by-step instructions.

Pictograms, photos or words?

Pictograms are not automatically the best choice. It depends on what the person already understands.

• Objects are the most concrete: a spoon means "eat", a towel means "bath". Useful for people who do not yet link pictures to meaning.
• Photos show the real thing: their own school, their own bed, grandma's face. Good for places and people.
• Pictograms are consistent, quick to find and look the same everywhere. Good for activities and general concepts.
• Words work well for confident readers, often combined with a picture.

Many families and schools mix them. A schedule might use a photo of the school building and pictograms for "snack", "playground" and "home". That is fine, as long as each activity always gets the same picture.

How to choose the right pictogram

One meaning, one picture

Pick one pictogram per activity and use it everywhere: at home, at school, in the car, on the fridge. If "swimming" is a pool one day and a swimsuit the next, the person has to learn two symbols for one thing.

Check that the person recognizes it

What is obvious to an adult is not always obvious to a child. Show the pictogram and ask what it is, or watch the reaction. If a pictogram of "doctor" is read as "hospital" or "injection", that might cause worry you did not intend. Try a different one, or use a photo of the actual doctor's office.

Keep the style consistent

Mixing sets with very different styles on one schedule (for example thick black outlines next to soft watercolors) can be distracting. Stick to one set where possible and fill gaps with photos.

Add a short word

Put one or two words under each pictogram, and use those same words when you talk: "Now, shoes." It helps everyone who works with the person use the same language, and it supports early reading.

Size matters

For young children or people with low vision, larger is better. Around 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3 inches) per card is a common size for a wall schedule; smaller works for a desk strip or a pocket card.

Free pictogram sets and their licenses

Most free pictogram sets use a Creative Commons license. That tells you what you are allowed to do with them. Here are three well-known free sets, described as accurately as we can. Always check the current license on the official website before you publish or sell anything.

Mulberry Symbols

Mulberry Symbols is an open symbol set of around 3,000 pictograms, with many symbols that suit teens and adults as well as children. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. You may use, share and adapt the symbols, also commercially, as long as you credit the source (Mulberry Symbols, © Steve Lee) and share any adapted versions under the same license. GentleTime and our free maker use Mulberry Symbols for this reason.

ARASAAC

ARASAAC is a very large pictogram collection from the Aragon region in Spain, widely used in schools and speech and language therapy, with names in many languages. It is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0: you may use and adapt the pictograms with credit, but not for commercial purposes, and adapted versions must use the same license. For home and classroom use this is usually fine; selling printed cards is not.

Sclera

Sclera is a Belgian set with a distinctive high-contrast style: white drawings on a black background. Some people find this easier to see. It is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 BE: use with credit, not for commercial purposes.

What the license letters mean

• BY: you must credit the creator.
• SA (ShareAlike): if you adapt the pictograms and share the result, you use the same license.
• NC (NonCommercial): no commercial use, such as selling cards or using them in a paid product.

This is general information, not legal advice. If you run a business, publish a book or build an app, read the full license text.

Photos: a good alternative

Your own photos have no license issues and are often the most recognizable option. Tips:

• Photograph the thing from the person's point of view, at their height.
• Use a plain background and leave out other objects.
• Take one photo per activity and reuse it.
• Print on thick paper or laminate it.

How to use pictograms day to day

• Put the schedule where the activities start, at eye height.
• Point at the pictogram when you name the activity.
• Use a "finished" pocket or tick box so steps can be marked as done.
• Keep spare copies of the most used pictograms. Cards get lost, and a missing picture is a problem when it is the one for the next step.
• Introduce new pictograms one at a time, ideally in a calm moment, not during a change that is already hard.

Make a printable schedule with pictograms

Our free visual schedule maker lets you search around 3,000 Mulberry pictograms in English and other languages, put them in order and print a strip or cut-out cards. Keep the small credit line on your printout.

For the full method of building a schedule, see how to make a visual schedule. If you would like the same pictograms on a watch or tablet, GentleTime shows the current activity and the next one, and you can add your own pictures too.

Frequently asked questions

Are pictograms only for autistic children?

No. Pictograms are used by many people: young children, people with an intellectual disability, people with ADHD, people living with dementia, people learning a new language, and in public places such as airports. They are simply a way of making information visual.

Can I use free pictograms at school?

Usually yes. Mulberry, ARASAAC and Sclera all allow non-commercial use with credit, which covers normal classroom use. Mulberry also allows commercial use under its share-alike license. Check with your school if they have their own guidelines.

Do I have to credit the pictograms I print?

Yes, all three licenses require attribution. For printed schedules, a small line at the bottom is enough, for example "Pictograms: Mulberry Symbols, © Steve Lee, CC BY-SA 4.0".

Can I mix pictograms from different sets?

You can, as long as you respect each license. For readability it is usually better to stick to one set and fill gaps with photos, so the style stays consistent.

What if there is no pictogram for an activity?

Use a photo, draw one yourself or combine a pictogram with a word. For recurring activities that matter a lot, such as a specific club or a family member, a photo often works better than any pictogram.

Black and white or color?

Both work. Color can help tell activities apart; high-contrast black and white, such as Sclera, can be easier for some people to see. Try both and watch which one the person responds to. For more on building routines, see our morning routine chart guide.