

Take a look through this handy reference and download your own pdf version here. The guide includes everything from property lines and electrical symbols to elevation markers and scale bars. Thankfully, the National Institute of Building Sciences is here to help - they’ve collated every CAD symbol out there along with the unique numeric code and standardized rules for each.

Each drawing should include an accompanying key that provides the answer, but when starting a set of construction drawings for the first time, it can be hard to recall all this information.

We’ve all had that moment when we’ve wondered what that mysterious symbol on a giant set of CAD print-outs means. The One Drawing Challenge is now part of the upcoming Architizer Vision Awards, honoring the best architectural photography, film, visualizations, drawings, models and the talented creators behind them.
