Why do some elevator buttons have a star symbol next to a floor?

Elevators have a variety of buttons that make them easier to use for everyone, which include many features like raised buttons, voice announcements, and floor indicators that help those with vision, hearing, or movement disabilities to get around safely and independently.
Apart from the buttons, there are many other symbols on the lifts too, among these buttons, have you ever noticed the mysterious star symbol next to certain floor buttons and wondered what it means? It’s not just a random decoration or addition to an already cluttered panel. The star is often found next to floors such as “G” (Ground Floor) or “1” (First Floor), which has an important function in many buildings around the world.

The star icon on elevator panels usually denotes a priority or special floor, usually for maintenance or emergency use. The symbol is more than a decoration, it is a way of directing the elevator system to use certain floors during certain operations. While the practice is not standard, it can be widely seen in high-rise buildings, hospitals, hotels, or office buildings. The star symbol is frequently used as a means of highlighting these floors so that users can find where important services or features are.


For example, in some buildings, the star next to the ground floor might indicate that it's a designated emergency or service access floor. In buildings with multiple levels of parking garages, floors marked with stars may refer to a service or utility floor where maintenance staff have access or where utilities like water pumps or electrical equipment are stored. The star symbol helps make these floors stand out visually in cases where quick recognition is necessary to access vital facilities.
In hospitals or special buildings, star-marked floors could denote spaces such as emergency departments or restricted areas. These floors tend to have an increased level of accessibility, such that they could need special authorisation or are supposed to be used only in certain situations, such as in emergency cases or after-hours entry. The star symbol can act as a gentle reminder that these floors need to be entered with caution or used only with special permission.

The use of symbols in elevators dates back to the mid-20th century, when elevators were becoming more advanced and operating in large complex buildings. As elevator systems grew in infrastructure, the need for easy guidance to necessary markers and indicators became more important, especially in high-rise buildings where every floor was defined for a special purpose.

The star symbol likely results from an effort to create an easily identifiable icon that can quickly communicate the importance of a specific floor or areas requiring special attention. The star became a universal icon that is simple and useful, qand makes sure that elevator passengers know exactly where they are headed.