
Floor plans, site plans, elevations and other architectural diagrams are generally pretty self explanatory – but the devil’s often in the details. It’s not always easy to make an educated guess about what a particular abbreviation or symbol might mean.
House plans like floor plans, site plans, elevations and other architectural diagrams or blueprints are generally pretty self explanatory – but the devil’s often in the details. It’s not always easy to make an educated guess about what a particular abbreviation or symbol might mean.
To help make things a bit easier, we’ve put together a cheat sheet to explain many of the more common abbreviations and symbols:
House plan abbreviations
ABBREVIATION | MEANING |
AB | Air brick |
AL | Aluminium |
AP | Acoustic plaster |
ASPH | Asphalt |
AT | Acoustic tile |
B | Basin |
BAL | Balustrades |
BC | Book case |
BHD | Bulkhead over |
B/I | Built-in |
BK | Brick |
BV | Brick veneer |
BWK | Brickwork |
C | Cooker |
CAB | Cabinet |
CBD / CPD | Cupboard |
CD | Clothes dryer |
CF | Concrete floor |
COL | Column |
CORR | Corrugated |
CR | Cement render |
CT | Ceramic tile |
CW | Cavity wall |
D | Door |
DG | Double glazing |
DH | Double hung (windows) |
DP | Downpipe |
DPC / DPM | Damp-proof course / damp-proof membrane |
DW | Dishwasher |
FA | Floor area |
FB | Face brick |
FCL | Finished ceiling level |
FFL | Finished floor level |
FL | Floor level (note: the floor level is provided as a figure relative to a datum, or universal reference point) |
FW | Floor waste |
GM | Gas meter |
GPO | General purpose outlet (i.e. power point) |
HTR | Heater |
HW | Hot water unit |
INSUL | Insulation |
KIT | Kitchen |
LIN | Linen cupboard |
LINO | Linoleum |
LVR | Louvres |
M | Meter |
MSB | Master switch board |
O | Oven |
PBD | Plasterboard |
R / REFRIG | Refrigerator |
RL | Reduced level |
RS | Roller shutter |
RWH | Rainwater head |
RWP | Rainwater pipe |
RWT | Rainwater tank |
SC | Stop cock |
SD | Sewer drain |
SD | Sliding door |
SHR | Shower |
SS | Stainless steel |
TC | Terra cotta |
TEL | Telephone |
TRZO | Terrazzo |
TV | Television |
U/G | Underground |
U/S | Underside |
V | Vinyl |
VENT | Ventilator |
VP | Vent pipe |
W(number) | Window – Basix window number |
WB | Weatherboard |
WC | Water closet |
WM | Washing machine |
WR | Wardrobe |
Plan view: annotations
SYMBOL | MEANING |
![]() |
Job datum level – indicates the altitude at a specific point, relative to a universal reference point known as a ‘datum‘. |
![]() |
Special area reference – a reference to a separate diagram detailing a special area (numbers indicate which diagram) |
![]() |
Elevation reference – a reference to an elevation diagram (numbers indicate which diagram) |
![]() |
Section reference – a reference to a separate section diagram (numbers indicate which diagram) |
![]() |
Detail reference – a reference to a detail diagram (numbers indicate which diagram) |
![]() |
Window and door references – a reference to specific windown and door diagrams (numbers indicate which diagrams) |
![]() |
Graduated scale – used to indicate the size and scale of objects and structures in the diagram |
![]() |
Compass – shows the orientation of the plan diagram and the structures it depicts |
![]() |
Title block – provides details about the project, the specific plan revision you’re looking at, the architect or designer, the date etc. |
Plan view – general
SYMBOL | MEANING |
![]() |
Window |
![]() |
Single-swing door (90 degrees) |
![]() |
Single-swing door (180 degrees) |
![]() |
Single double-acting door |
![]() |
Pocket / cavity door – a sliding door that slides into the wall cavity |
![]() |
Exposed sliding door |
![]() |
Bifold / concertina doors centred on a track |
![]() |
Bifold / concertina doors fixed to one side on a track |
![]() |
Ramp – arrow points upwards |
![]() |
Stairs – arrow points upwards |
![]() |
Fall / drainage – arrow points downwards, towards floor waste / drain. |
![]() |
Archway |
![]() |
Lintel |
![]() |
Access hatch |
![]() |
Recessed object – an object recessed into a particular wall or surface. |
![]() |
Surface-mounted object – an object mounted directly on a wall or surface. |
![]() |
Free-standing object – an object not connected to the adjacent wall or surface. |
![]() |
Object mounted over – an object mounted over the area shown. |
![]() |
Object sittting above the plane of the depicted section – a surface mounted object sitting higher than the plane of the diagram. |
Plan view – fittings
SYMBOL | MEANING |
![]() |
Bathtub |
![]() |
Shower stall – lines in the centre of this diagram indicate drop for drainage. |
![]() |
Basin |
![]() |
Vanity with basin |
![]() |
Toilet |
![]() |
Bidet |
![]() |
Sink with two bowls |
![]() |
Sink with one bowl |
![]() |
Double tub or trough |
![]() |
Single tub or trough |
![]() |
Hotplates |
Elevation view – doors and windows
SYMBOL | MEANING |
![]() |
Right-side hinged window |
![]() |
Side pivoted window |
![]() |
Top and bottom pivoted window |
![]() |
Top hinged window |
![]() |
Bottom hinged window |
![]() |
Horizontal sliding window with fixed sash |
![]() |
Vertical sliding sash window |
![]() |
Left hinged door |
![]() |
Double doors hinged at left and right jambs |