DIMENSIONING

Prashant Ambadekar

Dimensioning
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards SP 46: 2003) defines
dimension

as

numerical

value

expressed

in

appropriate units of measurement and indicated

graphically on technical drawings with lines, symbols
and notes.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Terms used in dimensioning

Dimension : Numerical value assigned to shape, size or
location of the feature being described.
Dimension line : Thin continuous line terminated by
arrowheads touching the extension lines.
Extension line : Extension of an outline or centerline.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Terms used in dimensioning

Arrowhead : It is placed at each end of dimension line.
Its pointed end should touch the extension line.
It should be closed and filled.
Length of arrowhead should be about three times its width.
The size of all arrowhead in the entire view should be same.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Systems of Dimensioning
Aligned System
Dimensions are aligned with the entity being measured.
They are placed perpendicular to the dimension line such that they
may be read from the bottom or right-hand side of the drawing.
Dimensions are placed at the middle and on top of the dimension
lines.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Systems of Dimensioning
Unidirectional System
In the unidirectional system, dimensions are placed in such a
way that they can be read from the bottom edge of the
drawing sheet.
Dimensions are inserted by breaking the dimension lines at
the middle.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Methods of dimensioning
Parallel (progressive) dimensioning
All the dimensions are shown from a common reference
line.
All these dimensions share a common extension line.
This method is adopted when dimensions have to be
established from a particular datum surface.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Methods of dimensioning
Chain (continuous) dimensioning
All the dimensions are aligned in such a way that an
arrowhead of one dimension touches tip-to-tip the
arrowhead of the adjacent dimension.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Methods of dimensioning
Combined dimensioning
When both the methods, i.e., chain dimensioning and
parallel dimensioning are used on the same drawing, the
method of dimensioning is called combined dimensioning

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Guidelines for dimensioning

1.

Dimension line is a thin line.

2.

After dimensioning of views, there should be no need to

calculate or assume any dimension.

3.

A dimension should be given to such an entity that the

best feature is dimensioned.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Guidelines for dimensioning

4. Dimension line should always be parallel to the outline
that is to be dimensioned.

5. Dimension lines should be drawn at least 10 mm

away from the outlines and from each other.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Guidelines for dimensioning

6. Dimension must not be repeated.

7. Dimension line should be perpendicular to the

extension lines.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Guidelines for dimensioning

8. Extension lines are thin lines and should extend beyond
the dimension lines for about 3 mm.

9. Extension lines may cross each other or outline of the

object.
10. Dimension lines should not cross each other or any other
line in the view.
SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Guidelines for dimensioning

11. The outline of view should not be used for dimensioning.

12. Only extension lines should be used for dimensioning.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Guidelines for dimensioning

13. The centre lines should not be used for dimensioning.
14. In case a centre line is to be used for dimensioning, use
it properly as extension line.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Guidelines for dimensioning

15. The dotted lines should not be used for dimensioning.

16. As far as possible dimension should not be given

inside the view.
17.But in some cases where more clarity and readability is
required, one can also dimension inside the view.
SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Guidelines for dimensioning

18.Smaller dimensions should be placed nearer to
the view and larger further away so that
extension lines do not cross the dimension lines.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Guidelines for dimensioning

19. Dimension of circular part or arc should be preferably
given in the view where it is seen as a circle or an arc.
20. The leader line should be used for dimensioning the
circles or for introducing a note.
21. A leader line is an inclined line followed by a short
horizontal line. The angle of inclination should be 45
30 or 60 in the given order as the space is available.
22. Dimension should be written above the horizontal
dimension line and never be written below the line.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL

Guidelines for dimensioning

23. Dimension should be written to the left of vertical
dimension line and should be readable from the left
side of the drawing.
24. All the dimensions on a drawing must be shown using
either Aligned System or Unidirectional System. The
two systems should not be mixed on the same drawing.
25. The unit should not be written after each dimension, but
a note mentioning the unit should be placed below the
drawing.

SIES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, NERUL