1910.37(b)(7): Exit Sign Letter Size
Employers must make sure each exit sign shows the word "Exit" in plainly legible letters not less than six inches high, with the main strokes of the letters not less than three-fourths of an inch wide.
Key takeaways
- 1910.37(b)(7) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 28 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $35,928 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (3), PA (3), NY (2).
- Related part: 1910.37(b) Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate (2,115 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.37(b)(7) is one requirement inside 1910.37 Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart E). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(7) Each exit sign must have the word “Exit” in plainly legible letters not less than six inches (15.2 cm) high, with the principal strokes of the letters in the word “Exit” not less than three-fourths of an inch (1.9 cm) wide. 28 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.37.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: VA (3), PA (3), NY (2), CT (2), AZ (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RICH PRODUCTS CORPORATION | NEW BRITAIN, CT | $9,218 |
| WALGREENS - ST. THOMAS (#13846) | ST THOMAS, VI | $6,833 |
| NORTH HUNTERDON HIGH SCHOOL | ALLENDALE, NJ | $6,300 |
| TFORCE FREIGHT, INC. | TAMPA, FL | $4,729 |
| J & C PET SUPPLY LLC | MILLVILLE, NJ | $3,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.37(b)(7), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Exit Signs (2022-05-25)
- OSHA requirements for exit sign lettering. (1986-07-18)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.37(b) Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate 2,115 citations
- 1910.37(b)(2) 995 citations
- 1910.37(b)(6) 368 citations
- 1910.37(b)(5) 336 citations
- 1910.37(b)(4) 211 citations
- 1910.37(b)(1) 167 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How tall must the letters on an exit sign be?
Not less than six inches (15.2 cm) high.
How wide must the letter strokes be?
The principal strokes must be not less than three-fourths of an inch (1.9 cm) wide.
What word must the sign show?
The word "Exit" in plainly legible letters.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.37 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.