What is the order of the gears in a manual transmission?

The gears in a typical manual car are used in ascending order—1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th (and 6th if equipped)—with Reverse engaged separately. Most modern cars use an H-pattern: on a 5-speed, 1st is usually upper-left, 2nd lower-left, 3rd upper-center, 4th lower-center, and 5th upper-right; a 6th gear commonly occupies lower-right. Reverse location varies by manufacturer and is protected by a lockout. Below is a breakdown of the common layouts, exceptions, and how to identify yours.

How the order works

Manual transmissions are geared so you start in 1st (the highest torque, lowest speed gear) and shift up sequentially as speed increases. Downshifting reverses the order to match lower speeds or gain engine braking. Neutral sits between the 1–2 and 3–4 planes in the H-pattern, letting the lever float side-to-side.

The following list shows the typical progression when accelerating in a car with a conventional H-pattern manual transmission.

1. 1st gear: start from a stop.
2. 2nd gear: low-speed acceleration.
3. 3rd gear: moderate speed.
4. 4th gear: higher moderate speed or cruising.
5. 5th gear: highway cruising (often an overdrive ratio).
6. 6th gear (if equipped): lower-RPM highway cruising (overdrive).

Drivers may skip gears (for example, 3rd to 5th) when conditions allow, but the mechanical order always increases numerically as you shift up and decreases as you downshift.

Typical H-pattern layouts

Common 5-speed pattern

Most 5-speed manuals follow a straightforward H-pattern, with gears arranged left-to-right and top-to-bottom for intuitive upshifts and downshifts.

• 1st: upper-left
• 2nd: lower-left
• 3rd: upper-center
• 4th: lower-center
• 5th: upper-right
• Reverse: often far-right and down, or far-left and up with a lockout

While the 1–5 sequence is widely consistent, the exact position of Reverse differs among brands and usually includes a safety mechanism to prevent accidental engagement.

Common 6-speed pattern

Six-speed manuals add an extra ratio, typically placed at the far-right lower position to extend highway fuel economy and reduce engine revs.

• 1st: upper-left
• 2nd: lower-left
• 3rd: upper-center
• 4th: lower-center
• 5th: upper-right
• 6th: lower-right
• Reverse: varies—often far-left and up (with a collar lift or push-left lockout) or far-right and down

This arrangement keeps upshifts linear from left to right, minimizing mis-shifts at speed and helping drivers find high gears quickly on the highway.

Reverse gear locations

Reverse is intentionally set apart from the forward gears and protected by a lockout to prevent accidental selection. Automakers use different placements and mechanisms.

• Far-left and up: common on European cars (e.g., VW/Audi, BMW), usually with a push-left or collar-lift lockout.
• Far-right and down: common on Japanese and American models (e.g., Mazda, Toyota, GM), often with a spring gate.
• Far-left and down or far-right and up: seen on some older or specialty gearboxes; always check the knob diagram.

Regardless of location, you’ll typically feel a stronger spring or need an extra action (push down, pull a collar, or push hard left) before Reverse engages.

Exceptions and variations

While most modern cars use the standard H, a few notable variations exist for performance or specialty applications.

• Dogleg first gear: places 1st down-left, then 2nd–3rd–4th–5th (and 6th) in a straight H across the top for faster 2–3 shifts—seen on some classic sports sedans and race-inspired cars.
• Sequential manuals: used in racing and most motorcycles; you click up or down through gears in order (e.g., 1–2–3–4–5–6) with no H-pattern.
• Column-shift manuals (older vehicles): gears selected via a lever on the steering column; order remains numerical but the pattern differs from the floor H.

These setups change the lever motion, but the forward-gear order still increases numerically as speed rises, with Reverse isolated.

How to identify your car’s shift order

Because Reverse and lockout mechanisms vary, the surest way to confirm your exact pattern is to check the car-specific references below.

• Inspect the shift-knob diagram: required in most markets and shows the precise pattern.
• Consult the owner’s manual: includes the pattern and any lockout instructions.
• Feel for the lockout: gentle pressure toward suspected Reverse direction without forcing the lever will reveal a lockout gate or collar.
• Note brand tendencies: many European models use left/up Reverse; many Japanese and U.S. models use right/down.

Taking a moment to verify the pattern prevents mis-shifts and protects the transmission, especially in unfamiliar vehicles.

Summary

The order of gears in a manual transmission progresses numerically—1st through 5th (and 6th)—with Reverse set apart and protected by a lockout. Most cars use an H-pattern: 1–2 on the left, 3–4 in the center, 5–6 on the right. Reverse placement varies by model, so always check the shift-knob diagram or owner’s manual before driving.