AutoCAD DIM command
Shortcut: DIMAnnotate
A single dimensioning command that picks the right dimension type from what you hover: linear, aligned, angular, radius or diameter.
Syntax
DIM → hover over geometry → place the dimension line → EnterStep by step
- Set the current dimension style with DIMSTYLE first.
- Type DIM and press Enter.
- Hover over a line, arc or pair of points — the preview shows the dimension type.
- Click to place the dimension line.
- Keep dimensioning, using Baseline or Continue for chains, then press Esc.
A dimension chain along a wall
DIM → click the first opening edge → click the next → place the line → then use Continue to run the rest of the chain at the same offset, so the string reads as one line rather than stacked dimensions.
Common mistakes
- Dimension text sized in model units without annotative scaling, so it is unreadable at plot scale.
- Dimensioning to a snapped-by-eye point rather than a real endpoint, which hides a geometry error.
- Overriding a measured value by typing text — the drawing then lies about the model.
Questions
How do I get dimension text to the right size?
Use an annotative dimension style and set the annotation scale of the viewport, or set text height to the plotted height multiplied by the scale factor. Annotative is safer across multiple scales.
Should I ever edit a dimension value manually?
No. Fix the geometry instead. An overridden dimension is the single most common cause of site errors traced back to drawings.