What shape did McDonald's 1962 logo turn the two restaurant arches into?

McDonald's 1962 logo turned the two restaurant arches into the letter M.

The design simplified the paired yellow arches used on McDonald's buildings into a graphic mark that could work on signs, packaging, uniforms, and advertising. The result visually echoed the company's name while preserving the distinctive architectural idea.

This logo history explains why the symbol is called the Golden Arches even though modern viewers usually see a single M rather than two separate building structures. The term refers to the arches' origin as physical restaurant features as well as to the logo derived from them.

The mark has appeared with different wordmarks and color treatments, but the M-shaped silhouette has remained the essential element. That continuity helped McDonald's maintain recognition as its restaurants and advertising changed around the world.