What is the name of McDonald's yellow M-shaped symbol, first based on its restaurant arches?

McDonald’s yellow M-shaped symbol, based on its restaurant arches, is called the Golden Arches.

The arches began as architectural features on McDonald’s early restaurants. The company used two large yellow arches on buildings to make locations visible to passing motorists. In the early 1960s, the arches were combined into the recognizable M-shaped corporate mark.

The symbol became more than a sign for a restaurant building. It developed into a global brand identifier that could appear on packaging, uniforms, roadside signs, and advertisements without the company name.

A common mistake is calling the mark simply “the golden M.” Although its shape resembles an M, McDonald’s and historical advertising refer to it as the Golden Arches, emphasizing its architectural origin.