How to change existing dimensions from imperial to metric in AutoCAD

Autodesk Support

Jul 1, 2024

Products and versions covered

Issue:

This article describes how to change some of the dimensions to metric units on a drawing that uses imperial units dimensioning.


Dimensions Imperial   (Inch)
   
 

Solution:

Option "Dual dimensioning"

To implement dual dimensioning, it is necessary to create a new dimension style and then apply that dimension style to the dimensions that need to be displayed in the metric. The current dimensions need to be displayed in decimal form. This example shows how to convert dimensions that are currently displayed in inches to display in meters (m).

  1. In the command line enter DIMSTYLE

  2. In the Dimension Style Manager, click New.

  3. In the New Dimension Style dialog box, select a Name, Start With Style, and select Use For: All Dimensions. Click Continue.

  4. On the Primary Units tab, enter m in the Suffix 

  5. Choose Decimal in the "units format"

  6. Click OK

  7. Close

  8. The units  have changed from imperial to metric



DimStyle changed from inch to Decimal                            
            

Option: Use of the scale factor

Example: The dimensions below are in inch and you'd like to convert them to mm.



Since an inch is approximately 25.4 mm, set the scale factor as 25.4 in Dimension Style.


You'll get the converted dimensions.
 

Products:

AutoCAD Products;

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