Scale Bar Generator

Create a graphic scale bar for a map, site plan or technical drawing. Enter the drawing scale and the distance the bar should represent, and the generator draws a bar sized for that scale. Download it as SVG for CAD and vector software, or as a 300 dpi PNG for documents and presentations. The SVG is sized in millimetres, so it prints at true size.

On this page: Generator · How to use · Formula · Common bars · FAQ

Generate a Scale Bar

How to Use the Scale Bar Generator

1. Enter the drawing scale denominator. For a 1:1000 site plan, enter 1000.
2. Enter the real-world distance the bar should represent and choose its unit.
3. Choose how many divisions the bar is split into. Four or five is usual.
4. Check the printed length shown under the preview. If it is wider than your sheet, reduce the distance.
5. Download the SVG for CAD or vector software, or the PNG for a document.

The SVG carries real millimetre dimensions. Placing it in a drawing at 100 % gives a bar that measures correctly against the plan when printed at full size.

Scale Bar Formula

The printed length of the bar is the real distance divided by the scale denominator:

printed length = real distance ÷ scale denominator

Example: a bar representing 100 m on a 1:1000 plan. Convert 100 m to 100 000 mm, then divide by 1000. The bar is 100 mm long on paper, and each of four divisions represents 25 m.

Each division therefore represents:

division value = real distance ÷ number of divisions

Common Scale Bar Sizes

Scale Bar Questions

What is a graphic scale bar?

A graphic scale bar is a small ruler drawn on a map or plan that shows how a printed distance relates to a real distance. Unlike a written ratio such as 1:1000, it stays correct when the drawing is photocopied, scanned or resized, because the bar is resized along with the drawing.

Why use a scale bar instead of writing the ratio?

A written ratio is only valid at the original print size. If a 1:1000 plan is printed at 70 % to fit a smaller sheet, the ratio is wrong but the scale bar still measures correctly.

How long should a scale bar be?

Aim for a printed length between 40 mm and 120 mm and a round real-world value such as 10, 25, 50, 100 or 250. A bar that ends on an awkward number is harder to read off.

How many divisions should a scale bar have?

Four or five divisions suit most drawings. Some surveying and mapping bars add a finer subdivided section to the left of zero for reading short distances.

Does the SVG print at the correct size?

Yes. The generated SVG declares its width and height in millimetres, so printing at 100 % without "fit to page" scaling gives a bar of exactly the stated printed length.

Which file format should I download?

Use SVG for AutoCAD, QGIS, Illustrator, Inkscape and anything that must stay sharp at any size. Use the 300 dpi PNG for Word, PowerPoint or an image editor that does not accept vectors.

Need to convert a distance rather than draw a bar? Use the Map Scale Calculator, or the scale converter and scale factor calculator.