SCALES

A scale is defined as the ratio of the linear dimensions of the object

as represented in a drawing to the actual dimensions of the same.
The proportion by which the drawing of a given object is enlarged
or reduced is called scale of the drawing.
It is not convenient, always, to draw drawings of the object to its
actual size. e.g. Buildings, Heavy machines, Bridges, Watches,
Electronic devices etc. Thus, following scales are used
Enlarging scales Reducing scales Full scale

Scales for the drawing of Scales for the drawing of Object is drawn on sheet to
small objects needs to be huge objects needs to be its actual size, then its
enlarged reduced drawn at full scale.

Format – X:1, X>1, RF>1 Format – 1:Y, Y>1, RF<1 Format – 1:1, RF=1
E.g. resistors, screws, gears E.g. buildings, bridges, E.g. spanner, pen, nut bolts
for electronics, Ics, boilers, ships, aero planes etc.
transistors
 RF (Representative Fraction)
Ratio that indicates the scale of a drawing is called RF.
Or
The ratio of the length of the object represented on drawing to the actual length of
the object is called the Representative Fraction (i.e. R.F.).

Unit of Representative Fraction is unit less. 
When a 1 cm long line in a drawing represents 1 meter length of the object, the
R.F. is equal to 1cm /1 m = 1 cm /1 x 100 cm = 1/100 and the scale of the drawing
will be 1 : 100 or 1/100 full size. The R.F. of a drawing is less than unity.

The R.F. of a drawing is greater than unity when it is drawn on an enlarging scale.
For example, when a 2 mm long edge of an object is shown in a drawing by a line
1 cm long , the R.F. is 1cm / 2mm = 1o mm / 2 mm = 5. such a drawing is said to
be drawn on scale 5 : 1 or five times full-size.

BIS (SP 46: 2003) recommended scales

The scales generally used for general engineering drawings are:
 LOS (Length of Scale)
LOS =  R.F.  X   Max. Length required to be measured

All the scales (except the scale of chords) are constructed by

drawing a line of length equivalent to the actual distance to
be represented. This length is called length of scale (LOS).
 Units of Measurements

Metric system British system
10 mm         = 1 cm 2.54 cm     =  1 inch
10 cm           = 1 dm (decimeter) 12 inches  =  1 foot
10 dm          =  1m 3 feet         =  1 yard
10 m             =  1 decameter 220 yard   =  1 furlong
10 decameter  =  1 hm (hectometer) 8 furlong   =  1 mile

10 hm =  1 km 1 mile        =  1.609 km

1 furlong  = 10 chain
1 hectare    = 10000 m2
 Examples
1. Convert 6 km in to cm

1 km =1x10x10x10x10x10 cm

6 km = 6x (1x10x10x10x10x10 cm) = 600000 cm

2. Convert 8 yard in to inches

1 yard = 1x3x12 inches

8 yard = 8x (1x3x12 inches) = 288 inches

 Types of scales
The scales used in practice are classified as under:

(1) Plain scales ( For dimensions up to single decimal & two units (e.g. 4.3; cm & mm  

or foot & inch)

(2) Diagonal scales ( For dimensions up to two decimals & three units (e.g. 4.35; 

dm, cm & mm, or yard, foot & inch)

(3) Comparative scales

(4) Vernier scales

(5) Scale of chords.

 Plain scales
A plain scale is simply a line which is divided into suitable number of
equal parts or units, the first part of which is further sub-divided into
smaller parts or sub-parts of main unit.

‰ The plain scales give only two dimensions, such as a unit and it’s
subunit or it’s fraction.
‰ The zero should be placed at the end of the 1st main unit, i.e. between
the unit and its sub-divisions.
‰ From the zero mark, the units should be numbered to the right and the
sub-divisions to the left.
‰ The names of the units and the subdivisions should be stated clearly
below or at the respective ends.
‰ The R.F. should be mentioned below the scale.
 Procedure to construct scales
1. Calculate RF, if not given
2. Calculate LOS
If the maximum distance to be represented is not known, it may be taken equal to
the maximum measurement (rounded off to the higher whole number) to be
made with the help of scale.
3. Draw a line = LOS. Divide this line into the required number of equal parts.
The divisions thus obtained are main divisions. Each main division will
indicate the main unit of measurement. In case of speed or rate the same
scale can be used for both time and distance.
4. Mark zero at the end of the first main division. Number the main divisions
rightward from zero.
5. Divide the first main division into the required number of equal parts. The
subdivisions obtained indicates subunits of the main unit. Number the
subdivisions leftward from zero. Main unit is written below the right end of
the scale and the subunit below the first main division. RF should be
mentioned below the scale.
 PROBLEM BASED ON PLAIN SCALES
Q. 1. Construct a scale of 1 : 4 to show centimeters and long enough to measure
up to 5 decimeters. Show a distance of 2.5 dm on it.

Q. 2. A room of 1728 m3 volume is shown by a cube of 216 cm3 volume. Find R.F.
and construct scale to measure up to 42 m. Mark a distance of 22 m on scale.

Q. 3. Construct a scale of 1" = 1 foot to read up to 6 feet and show on it, 4' - 7“
length.
SOLUTION NO. 1
SOLUTION NO. 2
 SOLUTION NO.3
R.F. = 1.5 Inches / 1 Foot = 1.5 / (1x12) = 1/8
LOS = R.F. x Max length = (1/8) x 4 feet
= (1/8) x 4 x 12 x 2.54 cm = 15.24 cm
 Diagonal scales
1. Diagonal scales are used to measure three consecutive units or 
two consecutive units and sub‐division of second units; e.g. dm, 
cm & mm, or yard, foot & inch.
2. Diagonal scales can measure up to second decimal places 
(e.g. 4.35).
3. Diagonal scale can measure more accurately than the plain 
scale.
 PROBLEM BASED ON DIAGONAL SCALES
Q. 1. A distance of 1mm on a part of an instrument is to be represented by a line of
3 mm on drawing. Determine the RF of the drawing and construct a scale showing
tenth of mm, mm and cm and long enough to measure upto 5 cm. mark on it the
distance of 35.7 mm.

Q. 2. Construct a scale of R.F. = 1/32, showing yards, feet and inches to measure
up to 4 yards. Represent 1 yard, 2 feet and 7 inches on scale.

Q. 3. Area of field is 50000 m2 is represented by a map of side length 10 cm and 8

cm. Draw a diagonal scale to read single meter and indicate on it 428 m.

Q. 4. A car is running at a speed of 50 km/hour. Construct a diagonal scale to show

1 km by 3 cm and to measure up to 6 km. Mark also on the scale the distance
covered by the car in 5 minutes 28 seconds.

Q. 5. Draw a scale of full-size, showing 1 / 100 inch and to measure up to 5

inches. Represent 2.68 inches on scale.
 SOLUTION NO.1
R.F. = 3mm/1mm = 3 (Enlarge scale)
LOS = R.F. x Max length = 3 x 5 cm = 15 cm
 SOLUTION NO.2
R.F. = 1/32
LOS = R.F. x Max length = (1/32) x 4 yards
= (1/32) x 4 x 3 x 12 x 2.54 cm = 11.43 cm
 SOLUTION NO.3
The area of the field = 50,000 sq m.
The area of the field on the map = 10 cm x 8 cm = 80 sq cm.

R.F.

R.F. = 1 \ 2500

Take maximum length = 5oo m

Length of the scale = (1/2500) x 500 x100 cm = 20 cm
Take 20 cm length and divide it into 5 equal parts.
 SOLUTION NO.4
R.F. = 3 cm /1km = 3 / 100000
LOS = R.F. x Max length = (3/100000) x 6 km = (3/100000) x 6x 100000 = 18 cm

1 min = 60 sec
5 min = 5x 60 300 sec
so 5 min 28 sec = 300 sec + 28 sec = 328 seconds
In 1 hr or 3600 sec the distance travelled is 5 km
Then in 328 sec the distance travelled = (50 x 328) / 3600 = 4.55 km. that we have to show in
diagonal scale.
 SOLUTION NO.5
R.F. = 1 (full scale)
LOS = R.F. x Max length = 1 x 4 inches
= 1 x 5x 2.54 cm = 12.7 cm