Lineweight guide
Standard architectural lineweights for AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino and more
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The Lineweight Guide provides standard pen weights for architectural drawings, helping drafters create clear, professional construction documents with proper visual hierarchy.
Consistent lineweights are essential for readable drawings. Cut lines should be heavy, elevation lines medium, and background elements light. This guide shows recommended weights for each element type across major CAD platforms.
View lineweight standards for different drawing types, including plans, sections, and details. The guide includes settings for AutoCAD CTB/STB files, Revit line styles, and Rhino print widths.
Features
Everything you need
- Standard architectural lineweights
- AutoCAD CTB/STB reference
- Revit line style settings
- Rhino print width guide
- Visual hierarchy principles
- Drawing type recommendations
- Metric and imperial weights
How it works
Simple workflow
- 1Select your CAD software platform
- 2Choose the drawing type (plan, section, detail)
- 3View recommended lineweights by element
- 4Apply settings to your drawing standards
- 5Print test plots to verify visual hierarchy
Use cases
Built for real-world scenarios
Office standards setup
Establish consistent lineweight standards across all firm drawings and templates.
New drafter training
Teach proper lineweight hierarchy and visual communication principles.
CAD template creation
Configure layer properties and pen settings in new drawing templates.
Plot troubleshooting
Diagnose and correct lineweight issues in plotted drawings.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Cut lines (section cuts through material) should be the heaviest weights: 0.50-0.70mm in metric, or 0.020-0.028 inches. This creates clear distinction between cut and projected elements.
Most firms use 4-6 distinct lineweights: Extra Heavy (0.70mm) for cut lines, Heavy (0.50mm) for primary objects, Medium (0.35mm) for secondary elements, Light (0.25mm) for minor elements, and Extra Light (0.18mm) for hatching.
Check these settings: 1) Lineweight display must be ON (LWT button in status bar), 2) Layer lineweight must be assigned (not Default), 3) Object lineweight must be ByLayer, 4) Check your CTB/STB plot style settings.
Most plotters can reliably produce 0.13mm (0.005") lines, but 0.18mm (0.007") is safer for consistent reproduction. Below 0.13mm, lines may not plot at all or appear inconsistent.
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