How do you read scales on architectural drawings?

Architect scales have numbers that run incrementally both from left to right and from right to left. A whole number or fraction to the left or right of the number line indicates the scale those numbers represent. Engineer scales have numbers that run incrementally from left to right.

How is architectural scale calculated?

Set the ratio as the size of the design on the paper to the size of the design in real life. In the example, 1.5 feet to 40 feet. Evaluate the ratio to find the scale. In the example, 1.5 feet divided by 40 feet equals 0.0375, so the scale of the object is 0.0375 to 1.0.

What is an architectural scale used for?

Architect scales, such as 1/4˝ = 1´-0˝ (1/48 size) or 1/8˝ = 1´-0˝ (1/96 size), are used for structures and buildings. They are used to measure interior and exterior dimensions such as rooms, walls, doors, windows, and fire protection system details.

What scale is used for a section drawing?

Referred to as 1:10, 1:20, 1:30,1:40, 1:50 or 1:60 scale. Typically in civil engineering applications, 1:10 (1″=10′) is used exclusively for detail drawings. 1:20 and 1:40 scales are used for working plans. 1:60 is normally used only to show large areas of a project.

How do you calculate scale?

To scale an object to a smaller size, you simply divide each dimension by the required scale factor. For example, if you would like to apply a scale factor of 1:6 and the length of the item is 60 cm, you simply divide 60 / 6 = 10 cm to get the new dimension.

How do you read architectural measurements?

How to Read an Architecture Ruler

1. Lay out the blueprint or drawing that you want to read with the architectural ruler.
2. Locate the scale on the drawing or blueprint. …
3. Locate the corresponding scale on the architectural ruler, i.e. 1/4″ = 1′ (1/4 inch = 1 foot).

How do you read a weighing scale?

Most scales with rotating needles have numbers with 15 lines in between, because each pound has 16 oz. in it and the sixteenth line is where the next pound starts. If the needle lands on the fourth line past the number 3, this indicates that your item weighs 3 lbs., 4 oz.

What is the most common architectural scale?

The 1/4 inch = 1 foot scale is the most common in the U.S. and is also referred to as 1/48 size because there are 48 units of 1/4 inch in 12 inches. Shown below are two different U.S. customary scales. The 1/4 inch scale on the left indicates that for every 0.25 inches measured there is 1 foot of real distance.