The Ultimate AutoCAD Text Height Chart and Viewport Scale Guide

When working in AutoCAD, ensuring the correct viewport scale and text height is crucial for readability and professional-looking drawings. The provided viewport scale and text height table helps users determine the correct settings for different paper sizes (A0, A1, A2, A3, A4) and scales. This guide explains how to use the table effectively to achieve precise scaling and text visibility in your drawings.

Understanding Viewport Scale and Text Size in AutoCAD

What is Viewport Scale?

Viewport scale determines how a drawing is displayed in paper space. It defines the ratio of model space to printed output. For example, a 1:100 scale means that 1 unit on paper represents 100 units in model space.

Incorrect viewport scale settings can lead to printing issues, making it difficult to interpret dimensions and annotations. Using the provided table, you can quickly find the correct scale for different paper sizes.

Why is Text Height Important?

Text height ensures annotations, labels, and dimensions remain readable after printing. Industry standards define minimum heights for different types of text, ensuring uniformity in drawings.

Standard text heights for architectural drawings include:

• General Notes: 2.5 mm – 3.5 mm
• Dimensions and Labels: 2.5 mm
• Title Blocks and Headings: 5 mm – 7 mm

Using the AutoCAD viewport scale and text height table, you can determine the correct text height based on the sheet size and scale.

AutoCAD Text Height Chart for Different Viewport Scales

The table provides the correct viewport scale settings and corresponding text heights for different sheet sizes (A0, A1, A3, A4) , helping users avoid trial and error when setting up drawings. This will ensure clarity and readability in architectural and engineering drawings.

To explain in detail, if you are printing your drawing on A1 paper size, and you want to print on a scale of 1:2000, you should select your AutoCAD viewport scale to 0.5 from properties and the idea text height for this drawing will be 5.

Vp Scale	A0 (Scale)	A1 (Scale)	A3 (Scale)	A4 (Scale)	Text Height
0.008	1 : 62500	1 : 125000	1 : 250000	1 : 125000	312.50
0.02	1 : 25000	1 : 50000	1 : 100000	1 : 50000	125.00
0.03333333	1 : 15000	1 : 30000	1 : 60000	1 : 30000	75.00
0.04444444	1 : 11250	1 : 22500	1 : 45000	1 : 22500	56.25
0.05	1 : 10000	1 : 20000	1 : 40000	1 : 20000	50.00
0.08	1 : 6250	1 : 12500	1 : 25000	1 : 12500	31.25
0.1	1 : 5000	1 : 10000	1 : 20000	1 : 10000	25.00
0.1333333	1 : 3750	1 : 7500	1 : 15000	1 : 7500	18.75
0.2	1 : 2500	1 : 5000	1 : 10000	1 : 5000	12.50
0.3333333	1 : 1500	1 : 3000	1 : 6000	1 : 3000	7.50
0.4	1 : 1250	1 : 2500	1 : 5000	1 : 2500	6.25
0.5	1 : 1000	1 : 2000	1 : 4000	1 : 2000	5.00
0.6666666	1 : 750	1 : 1500	1 : 3000	1 : 1500	3.75
0.8	1 : 625	1 : 1250	1 : 2500	1 : 1250	3.13
1	1 : 500	1 : 1000	1 : 2000	1 : 1000	2.50
2	1 : 250	1 : 500	1 : 1000	1 : 500	1.25
3.33333	1 : 150	1 : 300	1 : 600	1 : 300	0.75
4	1 : 125	1 : 250	1 : 500	1 : 250	0.63
5	1 : 100	1 : 200	1 : 400	1 : 200	0.50
6.666666	1 : 75	1 : 150	1 : 300	1 : 150	0.38
10	1 : 50	1 : 100	1 : 200	1 : 100	0.25
13.333333	1 : 38	1 : 75	1 : 150	1 : 75	0.19
16.666666	1 : 30	1 : 60	1 : 120	1 : 60	0.15
20	1 : 25	1 : 50	1 : 100	1 : 50	0.13
25	1 : 20	1 : 40	1 : 80	1 : 40	0.10
33.3333333	1 : 15	1 : 30	1 : 60	1 : 30	0.08
40	1 : 13	1 : 25	1 : 50	1 : 25	0.06
50	1 : 10	1 : 20	1 : 40	1 : 20	0.05
66.666666	1 : 8	1 : 15	1 : 30	1 : 15	0.04
80	1 : 6	1 : 13	1 : 25	1 : 13	0.03
100	1 : 5	1 : 10	1 : 20	1 : 10	0.025
500	1 : 1	1 : 2	1 : 4	1 : 2	0.005
1000	1 : 1	1 : 1	1 : 2	1 : 1	0.003

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Applying Viewport Scale and Text Height in AutoCAD

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Switch to Paper Space
2. Select the viewport and open the Properties panel.
3. Set the correct viewport scale from the table.
4. Adjust text height based on the table values.
5. Lock the viewport to prevent accidental scaling changes.

Setting Correct Text Height in AutoCAD

1. Open the Text Styles Manager (STYLE command).
2. Set the text height based on the provided text height table.
3. Apply annotation scaling to automate text size adjustments.

Pro Tips for Architects and Engineers

• Use Annotative Text: This automates text scaling, ensuring uniform visibility across different scales.
• Maintain Consistent Text Styles: Avoid multiple text styles in one drawing for clarity and uniformity.
• Use Predefined Templates: Save time by setting up standard text height and viewport scale templates.

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Conclusion

Using the provided AutoCAD viewport scale and text height table, you can ensure your drawings are accurately scaled and readable on any paper size. Whether you’re working on A0, A1, A2, A3, or A4 sheets, this guide will help you achieve the correct viewport scale and text height every time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I find the correct viewport scale in AutoCAD?
Use the viewport scale table to determine the correct scale based on your sheet size.

2. What is the best text height for 1:100 scale drawings?
A 2.5 mm text height is recommended for 1:100 scale drawings.

3. Why does my text look different when printed?
You might be using the wrong viewport scale or missing annotative text settings.

4. Can I automate text scaling in AutoCAD?
Yes, by using annotative text styles, AutoCAD will automatically adjust text sizes based on viewport scale.

5. How do I lock a viewport in AutoCAD?
Select the viewport, go to the Properties panel, and enable Display Locked to prevent accidental scaling changes.