Render a HouseFree Graphic Scale Bar: Metric & Imperial Downloads
Download graphic scale bars for 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500 and 1:1000, plus 1/4 inch = 1 foot, 1/8 inch = 1 foot and 1 inch = 20 feet. Each comes in alternating blocks and a single line with ticks.
Graphic scale bars: previews and downloads
Download Graphic scale bars ZIP · 522,027 bytes. Packs include source files, previews, usage notes and CC0 terms. No signup.
Each item ZIP contains its available source formats and PNGs. Extract the ZIP before opening DXF, SVG, PDF or PAT files; previews remain WebP.
1:50 — alternating blocks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1:50 — alternating blocks ZIP · 23,577 bytesPaper canvas: 110 × 30 mm.
Scale 1:50: 5 m represented by a 100 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 58,158 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 1,811 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 5,888 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 5,117 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 5,595 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
1:50 — line ticks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1:50 — line ticks ZIP · 23,909 bytesPaper canvas: 110 × 30 mm.
Scale 1:50: 5 m represented by a 100 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 57,787 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 2,193 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 5,880 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 5,324 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 5,799 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
1:100 — alternating blocks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1:100 — alternating blocks ZIP · 24,836 bytesPaper canvas: 110 × 30 mm.
Scale 1:100: 10 m represented by a 100 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 58,164 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 1,814 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 6,023 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 5,679 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 6,170 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
1:100 — line ticks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1:100 — line ticks ZIP · 25,183 bytesPaper canvas: 110 × 30 mm.
Scale 1:100: 10 m represented by a 100 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 57,793 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 2,196 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 6,015 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 5,885 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 6,367 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
1:200 — alternating blocks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1:200 — alternating blocks ZIP · 25,978 bytesPaper canvas: 110 × 30 mm.
Scale 1:200: 20 m represented by a 100 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 58,166 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 1,816 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 6,023 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 6,188 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 6,806 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
1:200 — line ticks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1:200 — line ticks ZIP · 26,350 bytesPaper canvas: 110 × 30 mm.
Scale 1:200: 20 m represented by a 100 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 57,795 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 2,198 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 6,016 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 6,410 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 7,005 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
1:500 — alternating blocks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1:500 — alternating blocks ZIP · 25,660 bytesPaper canvas: 110 × 30 mm.
Scale 1:500: 50 m represented by a 100 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 58,168 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 1,818 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 5,890 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 6,140 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 6,695 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
1:500 — line ticks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1:500 — line ticks ZIP · 25,965 bytesPaper canvas: 110 × 30 mm.
Scale 1:500: 50 m represented by a 100 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 57,797 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 2,200 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 5,880 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 6,354 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 6,888 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
1:1000 — alternating blocks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1:1000 — alternating blocks ZIP · 27,043 bytesPaper canvas: 110 × 30 mm.
Scale 1:1000: 100 m represented by a 100 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 58,174 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 1,821 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 6,026 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 6,794 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 7,309 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
1:1000 — line ticks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1:1000 — line ticks ZIP · 27,377 bytesPaper canvas: 110 × 30 mm.
Scale 1:1000: 100 m represented by a 100 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 57,803 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 2,203 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 6,017 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 7,009 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 7,503 bytes · 1000 × 273 px |
1/4" = 1'-0" — alternating blocks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1/4" = 1'-0" — alternating blocks ZIP · 28,440 bytesPaper canvas: 111.6 × 30 mm.
Scale 1/4" = 1'-0": 16 ft represented by a 101.6 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 57,911 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 1,833 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 6,960 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 7,125 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 7,829 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
1/4" = 1'-0" — line ticks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1/4" = 1'-0" — line ticks ZIP · 30,523 bytesPaper canvas: 111.6 × 30 mm.
Scale 1/4" = 1'-0": 16 ft represented by a 101.6 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 57,809 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 2,249 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 6,956 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 8,064 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 8,846 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
1/8" = 1'-0" — alternating blocks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1/8" = 1'-0" — alternating blocks ZIP · 30,147 bytesPaper canvas: 111.6 × 30 mm.
Scale 1/8" = 1'-0": 32 ft represented by a 101.6 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 57,908 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 1,834 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 7,412 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 7,780 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 8,536 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
1/8" = 1'-0" — line ticks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1/8" = 1'-0" — line ticks ZIP · 32,243 bytesPaper canvas: 111.6 × 30 mm.
Scale 1/8" = 1'-0": 32 ft represented by a 101.6 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 57,806 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 2,250 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 7,409 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 8,722 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 9,561 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
1" = 20' — alternating blocks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1" = 20' — alternating blocks ZIP · 25,569 bytesPaper canvas: 111.6 × 30 mm.
Scale 1" = 20': 80 ft represented by a 101.6 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 57,727 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 1,664 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 6,610 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 5,829 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 6,365 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
1" = 20' — line ticks
Calibrated graphic scale in paper millimetres. Print at 100% / actual size; never fit to page. Labelled distances are real-world metres or feet.
Download 1" = 20' — line ticks ZIP · 25,986 bytesPaper canvas: 111.6 × 30 mm.
Scale 1" = 20': 80 ft represented by a 101.6 mm bar. Print at 100%.
| File | Size / pixels |
|---|---|
| DXF · R2013 · mm (inside ZIP) | 57,644 bytes |
| Editable SVG (inside ZIP) | 2,069 bytes |
| Print-size PDF (inside ZIP) | 6,606 bytes |
| Transparent PNG · black (inside ZIP) | 6,012 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
| Transparent PNG · white (inside ZIP) | 6,552 bytes · 1000 × 269 px |
Using graphic scale bars
A graphic scale records a relationship between a printed length and real distance. Metric bars are 100 mm long; imperial bars are 101.6 mm (4 inches). Their page canvases also include margins. Measure the bar, not the page width. Print at 100% / actual size and never fit to page.
- Choose the bar that matches the drawing viewport scale; changing the label alone does not change the calibration.
- Insert in a millimetre paper-space layout at scale 1. For a 1:100 millimetre model-space view, multiply the paper annotation by 100.
- Place SVG/PDF in the sheet at 100%. Turn off fit-to-page in the final PDF print dialog.
- Measure the exported and printed bar: metric 100 mm, imperial 101.6 mm. If resizing a board, resize the drawing and its graphic scale together; the written ratio may no longer be correct.
AutoCAD, Revit and presentation software
AutoCAD
Open DXF directly; no DWG conversion is required. Check INSUNITS=4 and insert named annotation blocks into a millimetre paper-space layout at scale 1. Use EATTEDIT for populated attributes, BEDIT for block geometry, and Save As if you need DWG. Custom hatch installation is explained on the PAT download page.
Revit
Use Insert → Import CAD in a drafting/detail view with import units explicitly set to millimetres for a 2D reference. Imported CAD attributes do not become native labels or sheet parameters; build a native annotation family for automatic references. PATs use Manage → Additional Settings → Fill Patterns → New → Custom → Import; verify units, model/drafting type and compatibility as described in the hatch guide.
ArchiCAD
Use the DXF/DWG translator with millimetre units and merge the 2D DXF into a worksheet/detail as a reference. Imported CAD is not a native GDL object or automatic marker. Recreate native fills or reference labels when needed; AutoCAD PAT files do not directly become ArchiCAD fills.
SketchUp and LayOut
In SketchUp editions that support DXF import, set units to millimetres and confirm the imported size. For LayOut boards, place transparent PNGs as images and set an explicit paper width; PNG pixel count alone does not calibrate a scale bar. PDF/SVG placement support varies by version and platform. Prefer a supported vector route for print, and measure the final output at 100%.
Illustrator and InDesign
Open SVG in Illustrator to edit shapes and live text; install DejaVu Sans or substitute your office font. In InDesign, place the SVG/PDF at 100% and avoid fitting content to an arbitrary frame. For dark boards choose the white PNG. PAT files are hatch instructions, not placeable artwork: use their PNG swatch or open the DXF in a compatible vector workflow.
Turn your drawing into an architectural render
Use these symbols to communicate the plan clearly, then create a presentation image from your own floor plan or sketch. Render your architectural drawing with Render a House.
Free commercial use, no attribution
These original generated assets are released under CC0 1.0 Universal. Personal and commercial use, modification and redistribution are allowed without attribution. They are supplied as-is. These generic graphic conventions are not certified construction documents or a guarantee of compliance with every drawing standard. Check references, project north, datum and plot scale before issue.
Frequently asked questions
What real distance does each scale bar represent?
The metric bars represent 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 metres at 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500 and 1:1000 respectively. The three imperial bars represent 16, 32 and 80 feet respectively. All measurements refer to the bar itself, excluding canvas margins.
Are these files free for commercial use?
Yes. These original generated symbols are released under CC0 1.0 Universal. Personal and commercial use, editing and redistribution are allowed without attribution. They are supplied as-is; check your project's conventions before issuing construction drawings.
Are the CAD files DWG or DXF?
The CAD downloads are AutoCAD R2013 DXF, not DWG. AutoCAD opens DXF directly and can save it as DWG. Geometry is in millimetres, with INSUNITS=4; annotation blocks use A-ANNO-SYMB. SVG and PDF are vector files, while PNG and WebP are display images.
How do I keep the print scale correct?
Place SVG/PDF at 100% / actual size, use the matching paper dimensions and disable fit-to-page. Insert paper-mm CAD annotations at unit scale in a millimetre layout. PNG pixel dimensions alone do not establish a calibrated print size. Always measure a known bar or sheet dimension.
