How to Change the Unit in AutoCAD?

Maybe you have this problem too? When we design 2D or 3D in autocad, there may be a problem with the unit of autocad, if so, today this post will be significant for you. Today in this post we will learn how to change the unit in AutoCAD and show how to change it with photos.

Let’s start today’s great discussion, please read this post till the end and also share it with others who are involved in autocad design.

AutoCAD is one of the best designing platforms in the world developed by Autodesk- inc company. We can design 2D or 3D Design in this platform. But sometimes we phase unexpected errors during the design. Like unit changing issues, background changes, cursor size and shape, etc.

Through this article, we will learn how to easily change the unit according to what we want when we use AutoCAD and what is the importance of the unit. The act of changing a unit is very easy but many are designing without a unit. As a result, it will be very difficult to change the problem later, so before we start drafting, we have to set up a Drafting Unit.

Unit Options in AutoCAD

The following are the various unit options AutoCAD provides. You can work with the following drafting units:

1. Inches
2. Feet
3. US Survey Feet
4. Miles
5. Millimeter
6. Centimeters
7. Meters
8. Kilometers
9. Microinches
10. Mils
11. Yard
12. Angstroms
13. Nanometers
14. Microns
15. Decimeters
16. Dekameters
17. Hectometers
18. Gigamete
19. Light years
20. Astronomical
21. Parsecs
22. Unitless etc.

These are the main unit options in AutoCAD that can be used for drafting.

We know that we can design with mainly two types of units. Such as Length and angle types. Now we discuss the length and angle type of unit in AutoCAD. After seeing the following information you will get your best answer.

Length Unit Type

The length type unit in AutoCAD refers to the measurement system used to define dimensions and distances in your drawings. AutoCAD supports various units such as millimeters, centimeters, meters, inches, and feet, allowing for precise and versatile design.

By setting the appropriate length type unit, you ensure that your drawings are accurate and compatible with industry standards, making it easier to communicate your design intent effectively.

Decimal Unit in AutoCAD

In AutoCAD, the “decimal unit” is a unit system that expresses dimensions and coordinates in a base-10 format, which is straightforward and versatile for AutoCAD Software.

This unit system is ideal for precision work. You allow users to input and interpret values ​​in a familiar decimal format easily. You are ensuring accuracy and consistency in drawings.

Whether you’re drafting architectural plans, engineering plans, or 3D models, using decimal units in AutoCAD simplifies the design process and increases clarity in your projects. Following are the decimal units of AutoCAD.

• Architectural Units
  • Foundation: Feet and inches
  • Fractions: Expressed using fractions
  • Representation: Feet represent(‘), inches with double represent(“)
  • Example: 3′-4 1/2 “
• Scientific Units
  • Notation: Uses scientific notation (e.g., 1.6600E+01)
  • Format: Real number divided by 10 (e.g., I30E+02)
  • Use: Ideal for very large numbers
• Engineering Units
  • Representation: Feet, inches, and inch-decimal places
  • Conversion: 12 inches = 1 foot
  • Example: 1′-3.5 from 15.5 units
  • Application: Civil drafting for highways.
• Fractional Units
  • Representation: Values as fractions
  • Example: 10 ½ units or 10.5 units
  • Types: Feet, miles, inches

Angle Unit in AutoCAD

AutoCAD has a different angle unit. During the drafting phase, other angles are necessary for different AutoCAD objects. Majorly Radian, Degree/minute/section, survey unit, and grads unit.

The default angle unit is degrees. Angles are measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis. Users can change the unit settings in the Drawing Units dialog box if needed.

Following are the angle units in the AutoCAD:

Radians

Radians, denoted as rad, are the standard units of angular measurement widely used in various branches of mathematics. A radian is defined by the angle at the center of a circle that intercepts an arc equal in length to the circle’s radius.

Surveyor’s Units

In surveying, angles are measured using degrees, minutes, and seconds, and are often represented with quadrant bearings. This method divides a circle into four quadrants, ensuring that no angle exceeds 90 degrees.

Gradians

The gradian, also known as the gon, grade, or grad, is another unit of angular measurement used in trigonometry. One gradian is one-hundredth of a right angle, meaning there are 100 gradians in a 90-degree angle.

Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds

The degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS) format is a traditional way to represent angles. Here, one degree is subdivided into 60 minutes, and one minute into 60 seconds, allowing for precise angular measurements.

How to Change Unit in AutoCAD?

This is the best way to change units in AutoCAD quickly. I have mentioned the Best ways to change the unit in which I set my drafting Project.

Unit change Using UN Command

Following is the very quick and easy instructions to change units in AutoCAD drafting:

1. Open AutoCAD
2. Open New or Existing DWG File
3. Select any point.
4. Enter the ‘UN’ command.
5. Press Enter.
6. After the Drawing Units tab appears In the Length section, select the Precision section to adjust the unit.
7. In the “Units to scale inserted content,” select the Required unit for the drawing.
8. Click OK to finish.

Using UN Command

This is a simple and easy way to change units in autocad. Here are the steps you can follow to make this task:

Open the AutoCAD application that is available in your system and choose any DGW file in AutoCAD.

After that enter “UN” or “Units” Command in the command bar.

After entering this command following dialog box is open.

You can see this dialog box. Where Length and angle type of unit visible. length in precision and angle precision can be changed according to the requirements and working units.

If you want to change the length unit click the dropdown arrow simultaneously if you want to change the degree unit click the drop-down arrow at the angle unit. I hope you can successfully change the length type unit and angle type unit from this dialogue box.

When changing the unit’s length and angle type of the unit, you should be clear about the precision.

Click the drop-down arrow to change the Length type unit and precision also you can change the angle unit and precision by clicking the dropdown arrow.

A similar process you need to follow at the angle type unit. You can see below in the pictures.

After that select insertion scale by clicking the drop-down arrow at the scale unit, all the scale units were mentioned above. You can select your appropriate unit.

After completing all the steps click the OK button to Complete. You have to be ready to work on your desired unit type.

This is a simple and easiest way to change units in AutoCAD.

Change the Unit in AutoCAD by changing the original template file

Following are the steps to change the unit in AutoCad by changing the original template file:

• Select the file you want to change the unit
• Select a new item or Press Ctrl+N.
• The selection tab will appear with template files
• Select your file
• Click open

Installing the file template

Following is the installation guide for the file template:

• Select any point
• Enter OP option
• Press Enter
• Select the filter template file name for QNEW
• Select none
• Select ok

FAQs-Change the Unit in AutoCAD