Category: Design
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
Drawing scale is the ratio between a drawn length and the real length. Plans are usually 1:100 or 1:50, site plans 1:100 or 1:200 for villas and smaller for large sites, and details 1:20, 1:10 or 1:5.
Why it matters on a project
The right scale sets how much information a sheet can carry, and measuring from a print at the wrong scale gives wrong quantities.
Worked example
A 5 cm length on a 1:100 sheet equals 5 × 100 = 500 cm, or 5 m on site.
Common mistake
Printing a sheet on smaller paper than intended, then measuring it with a ruler as if it were at the stated scale.
Frequently asked questions
What scale is usual for villa plans?
1:100 for general plans and 1:50 for detailed plans.
Should I measure from the file or the print?
Measuring from the CAD file is more accurate, since prints may not keep the scale.
Related terms
- Floor planA drawing of a floor as if cut horizontally at about one metre.
- Site planA drawing showing the building within the plot with setbacks, entrances and levels.
- Detail drawingA large-scale drawing showing how a specific part is built.
- Quantity take-offExtracting quantities from drawings under defined measurement rules, with a reference for every figure.
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