Drawing scales in Metric vs Imperial

[PaulSinnott1828]

What are the common architectural drawing scales in Metric vss Imperial for documenting plans ( Imperial 1/4"/3/8"/1/2"=1'-0") ,elevations ,section and detail drawings.  

[pendean]

Depends: what region if the works do you work in and what does your client expect?

[steve216586 · Accepted solution]

Relating common ARCHITECTURAL metric scales to English counterparts.

METRIC                                                                          CLOSEST IMPERIAL SCALE

1:5m 1 cm = 5 cm	3" = 1'-0"                                        three inch scale
1:50 1 cm = 0.5 m	1" = 4'                                       quarter inch scale                                       (actual scale: 1" = 4.17')
1:100 1 cm = 1 m	1" = 8'                                        eighth inch scale                                        (actual scale: 1"= 8.33')
1:200 1 cm = 2 m	1" = 1/16'                                       sixteenth inch scale                                       (actual scale: 1" = 16.66')
1:500 1 cm = 5 m	1" = 40'                                         (actual scale: 1" = 41.66")
1:1000 1 cm = 10 m	1" = 80'                                        (actual scale: 1" = 83.34')
1:5000 1 cm = 50 m	1" = 400'                                        (actual scale: 1" = 418.66')
1:10000 1 cm = 100 m	1" = 800'                                        (actual scale: 1" = 833.32')

[Libbya]

While your math is (mostly) correct, the convention with Imperial architectural scales is X = 1'-0", not 1" = X.  In other words, 1/4" = 1'-0", not 1"=4'.  Also, for the scale of 1"=1/16' I think you meant to say 1"=16 (which should really be 1/16" = 1'-0").

[steve216586]

Tell this group how poor their math is: http://www.dbarchitect.com/words/writings/105/Metric%20Scales.html

I was only tryinng to help the OP by passing on info I found on the web. I do see the typo (maybe) with the 1" = 1/16'. It should only be 16' not 1/16'.

Reguardless, for someone using metric scales, the format given is correct. There are 48 increments of 1" in 4' which equals 48 increments of 1/4" in 1'.

[Libbya]

Your post gives me the impression that you believe I was trying to be hurtful rather than helpful.  That was not and is not the case.  

[steve216586]

Not at all. It wasn't my information; that is all I was saying. I can see where it is derived though and didn't question it coming from a multi-award winning architectural firm.

I can also understand why they may use the 1" = X format for metric users. Most Europeans have difficulty with our fractional inches when they are accustomed to a base of 10..

[danellis2982]

On the Metric side I'd put 1:10 instead of 1:5, which in my experience in the UK is a far more common detail scale

I'd add 1:20, which is another detail scale

I'd definitely add 1:1250 and 1:2500 is are the two most common scales for location plans (OS Data tends to be printed at 1:1250 for example).

dJE