What if my plan has no scale bar or printed scale?

Use Manual Scaling. Any dimension you can trust, like a wall length written on the plan, is enough to set the scale.

Does the scale apply to everything I measure?

Yes. Once the sheet is scaled, every length, area and perimeter on it uses that scale.

Does each page of a PDF need its own scale?

Check the scale on each sheet. Drawings in one set are often at different scales, so confirm it before you measure on a new page.

Getting started

How to set the scale on a PDF plan

1 min read Updated October 7, 2026

Every length and area in MetreMate is worked out from the plan's scale, so set it first. Auto Scale suggests a scale for you to confirm. If the sheet is scanned or unusual, use Manual Scaling: click two points a known distance apart and type in the real distance.

With Auto Scale

1Open the plan in the editor.
2Review the scale MetreMate suggests for the sheet.
3If it matches the scale printed on the drawing, confirm it and start measuring.

With Manual Scaling

1Find a dimension on the sheet you can trust, such as a dimensioned wall or a door width you know.
2Click one end of it, then the other.
3Enter the real-world distance between the two points.
4MetreMate applies that scale to every measurement you take on the sheet.

Tips

After setting the scale, measure a second known dimension. If it reads true, the whole sheet will.
The current scale shows in the top bar of the editor, for example 1/4" = 1'-0".
You can set the scale again at any time if it looks wrong.

Try it free in MetreMate Learn more about Manual Scaling

Questions

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