Module 2: Base Map

Determine Your Scale

 Determine Your Scale

The size of your project and the size of your paper will
determine the scale you will use for your design. Your
architect’s scale will have a variety of choices, but I recommend
only choosing from these option:

• 1” = 2’ (1/2” scale)

• 1” = 4’ (1/4” scale)

• 1” = 8’ (1/8” scale)

These scale options are easiest to use. The math can often be done in
your head and your measurements won’t end up as complicated
fractions.
 Determine Your Scale
To determine which scale is best for your project, you’ll need to do a little math. Let’s use my project as an
example.

My yard is 296’ long by 66’ wide. I have a roll of paper that is 2’ wide and I’m limited to a length of 3.5’ (based
on the length of my drawing table).

• To determine if a 1/2” scale would work, I will divide my length and width by 2

• 296’ / 2” = 148’ (There are 12” in a foot, so let’s now determine how many feet of paper I would need for a 148’ design:
(148’ / 12” = 12.3’) I would need paper that is 12.3’ long.

• 66’ / 2” = 33’ (33’ / 12” = 2.75’) I would need paper that is 2.75’ wide.

• This option doesn’t work for my project.

• Let’s try 1/4” scale (I will divide my length and width by 4)

• 296’ / 4” = 74’ (74’ / 12” = 6.17’). I would need paper that is 6.17’ long.

• 66’ / 4” = 16.5’ (16.5’ / 12” = 1.375’) I would need paper that is 1.375’ wide.

• Although the width is possible with my 2’ wide paper, this option doesn’t work because the length is too long.

• Let’s try 1/8” scale (I will divide my length and width by 8)

• 296’ / 8” = 37’ (37’ / 12” = 3.08’). I would need paper that is 3.08’ long.

• 66’ / 8” = 8.25’ (8.25’ / 12” = .6875’) I would need paper that is .6875’ wide.

• My project will fit on my 3.5’ long x 2’ wide paper at 1/8” scale

 Determine Your Scale
Write down the longest length and width measure-
ments of your project. Use these numbers for your What size paper will you be using?
calculations below.

Length = _____________ feet Length = _____________ feet

Width = _____________ feet Width = _____________ feet

Are there any other limiting factors, like the size of your drawing surface? __________

If yes, what length are you limited to? ____________ What width? ______________

1/2” scale
Length: _______’ / 2” = _______’ then _______’ / 12” = _______’

Width: _______’ / 2” = _______’ then _______’ / 12” = _______’

Compare the length and width in the last column to your paper size. Will this scale work for your project?* _________

1/4” scale
Length: _______’ / 4” = _______’ then _______’ / 12” = _______’

Width: _______’ / 4” = _______’ then _______’ / 12” = _______’

Compare the length and width in the last column to your paper size. Will this scale work for your project?* _________

1/8” scale
Length: _______’ / 8” = _______’ then _______’ / 12” = _______’

Width: _______’ / 8” = _______’ then _______’ / 12” = _______’

Compare the length and width in the last column to your paper size. Will this scale work for your project?* _________

* If more than one scale will work for your project, choose the larger option. For example: 1/2” scale is larger than 1/4”
scale and 1/4” scale is larger than 1/8” scale. The larger the scale, the more “zoomed in” your design will be.