What a bullet journal key is
A bullet journal key is a short legend, usually one small box near the front of the notebook, that tells you what each symbol on your pages means. Bullet journaling is built on rapid logging: instead of full sentences, you write short entries and mark each one with a symbol. The key is simply the reference for those symbols, so you do not have to remember them and so the notebook still makes sense when you flip back months later.
You do not strictly need one. If you use only the basic symbols and they feel obvious, you could skip it. Most beginners find it helpful anyway, particularly once they add symbols of their own. It also takes about five minutes to set up, which is part of why it is among the important bullet journal pages to set up first.
The original bullet journal symbols
The system, created by Ryder Carroll, sorts each entry into a type. The type is shown by the mark at the start of the line. The commonly taught set looks like this:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dot | A task you need to do |
| X | A completed task |
| Greater-than (>) | A task moved (“migrated”) to a later date or another month |
| Less-than (<) | A task scheduled into your future log |
| Open circle | An event, such as an appointment or a date |
| Dash (-) | A note, a fact, or an idea that is not a task |
A few details are worth knowing. The dot is used for tasks rather than a full checkbox because it is quick to draw, and turning it into an X when you finish gives a small sense of progress. Migration (the greater-than mark) is meant to be a decision point: when you move a task forward, you are asking whether it is still worth doing. If it is not, you can strike it out instead.
Some people draw events as an open circle and then fill it in after the event has passed. Others use a different shape. Either works as long as your key says so.
Signifiers
Signifiers sit to the left of a bullet and add extra meaning. The traditional ones are:
- Asterisk (*) for priority, the entries that matter most.
- Exclamation mark (!) for inspiration, such as an idea or insight worth keeping.
- Eye for explore, meaning something you want to research or look into further.
You can place a signifier in front of any entry type, for example an asterisk before a task. Because they are optional extras, it is easy to overuse them. If everything is marked as priority, the mark stops telling you anything.
Key vs index
People often confuse the two. The key explains your symbols. The index is a table of contents that lists topics and page numbers so you can find collections later. They are separate pages, and many notebooks, including some with printed page numbers, make the index easy to build. For a notebook setup that works the same way outside bullet journaling, see organization notebook ideas. If you are choosing a notebook with this in mind, see our guide to choosing a bullet journal notebook.
Where to put the key
Common choices:
- On the first or second page, right after the index, so it is always easy to find.
- On a bookmark or removable card, so it can be visible next to whatever page you are on.
- On the inside cover or on a sticky tab, if you want it visible without turning pages.
There is no wrong place. Pick the spot you will actually look at.
Making your own symbols
The original set is a starting point, not a rule. Many people add a few symbols for things they track often, such as a heart for self-care, a small star for a birthday, or a square for a task that is waiting on someone else. A good test is whether you would use the new symbol at least a few times a week. If not, it probably does not need to be in the key.
Two practical guidelines:
- Choose marks that are quick to draw. If a symbol takes more than a second or two, you will stop using it.
- Keep the number of symbols small. Five to eight in total, including signifiers, is easy to remember for most people.
Keeping the key readable
The key can stay plain, and it often works better that way. If you like decoration, a bit of washi tape, a coloured border, or a simple heading is enough. Heavy decoration can make the legend harder to scan, which defeats its purpose. You can add colour by writing the symbols in a pen you rarely use elsewhere, which helps the key stand out. For more ways to save time and keep pages tidy, see these bullet journal hacks.
Common questions
What is a bullet symbol? In general writing it is the small dot or mark that starts a list item. In a bullet journal, the mark also tells you the type of entry, such as a task, event, or note.
How do I take bullet point notes? Write short phrases rather than full sentences, begin each with a dash, and keep one idea per line. In bullet journaling, a dash marks a note.
Can I change the symbols? Yes. Update the key whenever you change a symbol so that older pages remain understandable.