STANDARD TECHNICAL DRAWING SCALES

Prior to the use of computers and CAD software, a drafter, designer, engineer or architect had to create accurate drawings of objects using a "scale". The "scale" allowed the the object to be drawn at a larger or reduce size without having to calculate values. A scale should not be referred to as a ruler since most rulers can only be used to measure in inches or millemeters. The diagrams shown below illustrate the value of the markings on the common technical drawing scales that are included on the triangular shaped Combination Scale. The Combination Scale allows the user to draw objects at eight different scales using fractional or decimal inches and/or millimeters:

• Full Scale using fractions - See the side with the "16 ".
• Half Scale using fractions - See the side with the "1/2 Size".
• Quarter Scale using fractions - See the side with the "1/4 Size".
• Full Scale using decimal inches - See the side with the "50 (.02)".
• Full Scale using millimeters - See the side with the "1:100".
• Double Scale using millimeters - See the side with the "1:50".
• 1/4" = 1'-0 using feet & inches - See the side with the "1/4".
• 1/8" = 1'-0 using feet & inches - See the side with the "1/8".

NOTE: The views below are NOT ACTUAL SIZE.

Return to Step 5 - Information Sheet

Return to Technical Drawing Topics

Entire contents Copyright ©1998. All rights reserved. (Updated: 8/26/04)