How to Use an Architectural Scale

An architect's scale allows you to size a building for construction.

An architect's scale is a tool that allows you to take a small drawing and figure out how large everything should be off the page. Exactly like a map scale, this tool informs the viewer just what a unit of measurement on the page converts to in a unit of measurement off the page (such as if 1 inch is equal to 1 foot). Scales can be written in many different measures, so be careful when using one.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler

Instructions

1. Find the scale on the document. The scale itself should be written on the page in a noticeable place, such as one of the lower corners. The scale should be in a small box and labeled in to draw the viewer's attention to it.

2. Locate the units of conversion. The U.S. is unique in that it still uses the imperial system of measurement (inches, feet and yards) in addition to the metric system of measurement (meters). Because of this, you need to make sure if the scale is in centimeters to meters that you are not measuring in inches, and vice versa.

3. Measure the parts in the architectural drawing in the units the scale prescribes. Once you have the measurement, put that measurement through the conversion on the scale. For example, if a wall on the drawing is 1/2-inch thick and the scale states that every 1/4 inch equals 1 foot, then the 1/2-thick wall would be 2 feet thick in reality.

References

• E Plans: How to Read Blueprints
• The House Designs: How to Read Blueprints