Abstract: A direct tension indicating washer includes a body having a first surface having a protuberance formed thereon; the body having a second surface having an indentation formed opposite the protuberance; an indicating material positioned in the indentation; and a channel formed in the second surface, the channel coupling the indentation to an outer edge of the body; wherein at least one of (i) a ratio of h/t is in a range of about 0.5 to about 0.8, (ii) a ratio of S/DW is in a range of about 0.2 to about 0.3 and (iii) a ratio of DSM/SSM is in a range of about 0.4 to about 0.6, is satisfied; wherein t is a thickness of the body, S is a length of the channel, h is a height of the protrusion, DW is a width of the indentation taken along a radius, DSM is an amount of indicating material that is emitted into the channel upon reaching a predetermined bolt tension and SSM is an amount of indicating material that remains in the indentation upon reaching a predetermined bolt tension.