Which symbol denotes a final state in a state machine diagram?

Which symbol denotes a final state in a state machine diagram?

• A. A small, filled-in circle surrounded by a larger circle
• B. A hollow circle
• C. A square
• D. A triangle

Answer: (A)

In state machine diagrams, the final state is shown with a target-like symbol: a small filled circle inside a larger circle. This arrangement signals termination of the process—once the machine enters this state, no further transitions occur. The outer circle marks the state boundary, while the inner filled dot represents the end point. A hollow circle indicates a regular (non-final) state, not an ending condition. Shapes like a square or triangle aren’t standard symbols for final states in this notation. So the symbol that looks like a dot inside a circle best communicates the idea of a completed state.

In state machine diagrams, the final state is shown with a target-like symbol: a small filled circle inside a larger circle. This arrangement signals termination of the process—once the machine enters this state, no further transitions occur. The outer circle marks the state boundary, while the inner filled dot represents the end point. A hollow circle indicates a regular (non-final) state, not an ending condition. Shapes like a square or triangle aren’t standard symbols for final states in this notation. So the symbol that looks like a dot inside a circle best communicates the idea of a completed state.