---
title: How to Show Dimensions in Inches Instead of Feet
description: Keep your 1/4 inch scale but display measurements in inches by redefining the scale as 1 inch = 48 inches.
---
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# How to Show Dimensions in Inches Instead of Feet
When working with scaled drawings in SmartDraw, you can see the dimensions of any symbol or wall to help you create a precise layout.
### How Scale Works
Dimensions in SmartDraw reflect real-world sizes based on your drawing’s scale.
The most common scale for residential architectural floor plans is 1/4" = 1'. This means 1/4 of an inch on screen equals 1 foot in real life or 1 inch on screen equals 4 feet. This is the default scale set for most SmartDraw floor plan templates.
By default, this scale displays dimensions in feet. If you prefer to work in inches instead, you can adjust how the scale is defined without changing the actual size of your drawing.
### How to Switch to Inches
If you want to keep the same scale, but show inches instead of feet, you just need to tweak how the scale is defined.
You can do this in the SmartPanel using **Units & Scale** or the same command under the **Page** tab.
You'll notice that the scale is set to a predefined set.
And a bed is defined as 6'4" by 6'8" in this scale.
To change this to inches, click **Custom** under **Units & Scale** to bring up a dialog to define your own scale.
In this dialog, you'll want to change the real life units the screen units equal to. So keeping our 1/4" = 1' scale where 1 inch on screen equals 4 feet in real life, just calculate what 4 feet equals to in inches and change the scale to be 1 inch on screen equals to **48** inches in real life.
Your scale hasn't changed, but the units it calculates to has. Your dimensions will now be displayed as inches instead of feet. The bed from before is now 80" x 76".
### Step-by-Step
Here is the quick step-by-step:
1. Open **Units & Scale** in the SmartPanel (or from the Page tab)
2. Select **Custom**
3. Convert the scale from **feet** to **inches**
- Example: 1 inch = 4 feet becomes **1 inch = 48 inches**
4. Apply the new scale by clicking **OK**
The scale stays the same, but the units switch to inches.
You can do this for meters and centimeters as well.
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