AutoCAD

How To Show Inches And Mm In AutoCAD?

by Wei Zhang
4 min read

Displaying Units in AutoCAD: Inches and Millimeters

Understanding Units in AutoCAD

AutoCAD provides users with the flexibility to define their preferred measurement units, whether that’s in inches, millimeters, or other formats. Choosing the right unit type depends on the specific requirements of your project.

Showing Measurements in Millimeters

  1. Launch AutoCAD: Start either AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP and create a new blank drawing.

  2. Access the Drawing Setup: Type the command UNITS into the command line and press Enter. This will open the Drawing Setup dialog box.

  3. Modify the Units: In the Drawing Units section, select either “Millimeters” or “Meters” from the drop-down list for units.

  4. Set as Default: For convenience, check the box labeled “Save as Default” located at the bottom left corner of the dialog box, allowing these settings to persist for future drawings.

Displaying Measurements in Inches

  1. Open Dimension Style Manager: Use the command DIMSTY to launch the Dimension Style Manager.

  2. Select Your Style: In the Dimension Style Manager, choose the style you wish to modify.

  3. Modify Dimension Style: Click on the “Modify” button to open the settings for that dimension style.

  4. Navigate to Primary Units: Within the new window, go to the “Primary Units” tab.

  5. Set Unit Format: Change the Unit Format to “Decimal”.

  6. Adjust Precision: If you wish to display whole inches, set the Precision field to 0.

  7. Add Inch Symbol: In the Suffix box, insert a double quote symbol (“) to denote inches.

  8. Confirm Changes: Click OK to save your modifications.

Checking Default Units in AutoCAD

To view or adjust the default units in AutoCAD, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Application Menu: Click on the Application menu in the top-left corner of the AutoCAD window.

  2. Select Drawing Utilities: From the dropdown, choose the “Drawing Utilities” option.

  3. Determine Unit Settings: Select “Units”. The Drawing Units window will appear, displaying the current default settings in alignment with your chosen template.

Converting Units in AutoCAD

Converting Millimeters to Inches

To convert measurements from millimeters to inches, remember that there are 25.4 millimeters in an inch. The formula for conversion is:

  • Length in inches = Length in millimeters / 25.4

Converting Inches to Millimeters in AutoCAD

  1. Access Dimension Style: Click on the Dimension menu and select “Style”.

  2. Create New Dimension Style: In the Dimension Style Manager, select “New”.

  3. Name Your Style: Enter a name for the style you are creating, select a default style to base it on, and check that “Use For” is set to All Dimensions.

  4. Modify Primary Units: On the Primary Units tab, type “mm” in the Suffix box. Set the Scale Factor to 25.4.

Adding Dimensions in AutoCAD

  1. Activate the Annotate Tab: Click on the Annotate tab, then select Dimensions from the panel.

  2. Choose Linear Dimension: Select the Linear dimension option.

  3. Specify Points: Indicate the first and second extension line origins by clicking on the respective locations in your drawing.

  4. Rotate Dimension: If necessary, type r for “Rotated” and specify the angle at which to place the dimension line.

  5. Finalize Placement: Click to position the dimension line accordingly.

Setting Limits in AutoCAD

  1. Start AutoCAD: Ensure your drawing session is active.

  2. Set Limits: Enter the command LIMITS into the command line and hit Enter.

  3. Define Coordinates: Input the coordinates for the lower-left corner, such as (0,0), and press Enter.

  4. Complete Your Limits: Enter the coordinates for the upper-right corner (for example, (200, 200)) and press Enter.

  5. Set Z Value: Finally, type Z and hit Enter to finalize.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default unit in AutoCAD?
By default, AutoCAD operates in inches. This means that measurements like 6 are interpreted as 6 inches unless specified otherwise.

How do I find units in DWG TrueView?
To check the units in DWG TrueView, use the List icon to select your viewport, press Enter, and locate the scale indicated under “Scale relative to Paper space”.

How do I convert from centimeters to inches in AutoCAD?
To convert from centimeters to inches, enter a scale factor of 0.3937 (the inverse of 2.54) when scaling your objects.

About the author

Wei Zhang

Wei Zhang

Wei Zhang is a renowned figure in the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) industry in Canada, with over 30 years of experience spanning his native China and Canada. As the founder of a CAD training center, Wei has been instrumental in shaping the skills of hundreds of technicians and engineers in technical drawing and CAD software applications. He is a certified developer with Autodesk, demonstrating his deep expertise and commitment to staying at the forefront of CAD technology. Wei’s passion for education and technology has not only made him a respected educator but also a key player in advancing CAD methodologies in various engineering sectors. His contributions have significantly impacted the way CAD is taught and applied in the professional world, bridging the gap between traditional drafting techniques and modern digital solutions.

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