A compact safety cone that can self-right when in use and be reduced to a compact size when not. The compact safety cone has a base, flexible means, and cover. The spring flexible means coils around the center of the base in decreasing diameters without overlapping. The compact safety cone has a substantially low center of gravity due to the
weight distribution among its components. By design, the compact safety cone has a fast
impulse response to direct (contact) and indirect (no-contact) perturbations and is capable of being run over or hit by a vehicle and “self-right” substantially immediately after the
impact. When not in use, an integrated holding means conveniently and securely keeps the flexible means to the base. The holding means can be, e.g., a cover, lid, light, sign, mirror, box, case, hook, latch, strap, Velcro, pin, lock, etc. In some cases, an optional
handle may be included.