How to find the scale of a plan?

Have you ever found yourself faced with a construction plan that's not to scale? It's quite likely, as this is a common situation for construction professionals. We offer you a practical guide to help you find the scale of a plan.

Calculate the scale of a PDF plan

When you have to deal with a PDF construction plan, it's quite simple to find the’scale thanks to a tool, specially designed for, the application MeasureAll. First, you just need to import your PDF file into the app (you can do this directly from your emails).

The application invites you to create a new folder, the name of which you can then modify. 

Next, add the different categories for which you wish take measurements on your plan (floorboards, flooring, beam, tie beam, baseboard, tiles, partition, etc.).

Once these two very simple steps are completed, you can directly access your plan, on which you will be able to define a scale from a reference coast the longest possible. To do this, simply place a first point with your index finger, then a second point, located at the ends of the longest side. Enter the side in using the keyboard and save the length by specifying the metric unit of measurement (m, cm, mm) or imperial (YD, FT, IN) then validate the scale.

You can now start taking your measurements on a now-to-scale plan. Lines, dimensions, surfaces, walls, roofs, or else volumes by area and volumes by linear. The process is the same. Select a measurement type and then place your points on the plan. Add different measurement groups to your categories (Ex: single layer in the plaster category). 

You can afterwards Exporter your measures, get quote or even purchase orders. 

Calculate a scale

Traditionally and with a calculator, you can find the scale of a plan as follows:

Scale = Dimension on the plan / Actual dimension.

So, we need to divide the length or width of the plan by the actual length or width of the building. same unit.

For example, in the case of an individual house, if it measures 20 m in length, and on the plan it is equal to 20 cm, we want to know how much 1 cm on the plan represents in reality (in cm). If 20 cm represents 20 m, so 2,000 cm (convert to centimeters), then 1 cm represents:

2,000 cm / 20 cm = 100 cm.

 This plan is therefore to a scale of 1/100. 

20/ 2 000 = 1/ 100. 

What scales are used in everyday life?

In everyday life, there are different scales, whether you're using a map or a plan. 

The scale of a road map representing a department, it can range from 1/100,000 to 1/250,000. If it represents France, the map scale will be 1/1,000,000, at a rate of 1 cm for 10 km. 

The scale of a world map It will be 1/50,000,000.

The scale of a site plan for a building permit will be between 1/50 and 1/2500. 

A master plan and’a floor plan of a house, are respectively between 1/100 and 1/500, and 1/50 and 1/100.

Regarding the scales of mock-up, scale models range from 1/1200, and ship models are between 1/1200 and 1/150. Airplane models, on the other hand, range from 1/144 to 1/24.

To finish the cars are generally 1/72, 1/43, 1/24, or 1/18 scale.