Architectural Abbreviations

The list of abbreviations used in a set of architectural drawings varies from office to office.  Be sure to check the front section of the drawing set for the abbreviations used within.

#Pound OR Number
&And
@At
ACTAcoustic Ceiling Tile
ADArea Drain
AFFAbove Finished Floor
ALUMAluminum
ANODAnodized
BSMTBasement
BYNDBeyond
BOTBottom
CIPCast In Place
CHNLChannel
CJControl Joint
CLCenter Line
CLGCeiling
CLRClear
CMUConcrete Masonry Unit
COLColumn
COMPRCompressible
CONCConcrete
CONTContinuous
CPTCarpet
CTCeramic Tile
CTYDCourtyard
DBLDouble
DEMODemolish or Demolition
DIADiameter
DIMDimension
DIMSDimensions
DNDown
DRDoor
DWGDrawing
EAEach
EJExpansion Joint
ELElevation
ELECElectrical
ELEVElevator or Elevation
EPDMEthylene Propylene Diene M-Class (Roofing)
EQEqual
EXISTExisting
EXP JTExpansion Joint
EXTExterior
FDFloor Drain or Fire Department
FECFire Extinguisher Cabinet
FFFinished Face or Finished Floor
FFLFinished Floor Level
FIXTFixture
FLRFloor
FMFilled Metal
FOFace Of
FNDFoundation
GAGauge
GALVGalvanized
GWBGypsum Wall Board
HCHollow Core
HIHigh
HMHollow Metal
HPHigh Point
HRHour
HVACHeating, Ventilating, And Air Conditioning
IRGWBImpact Resistant Gypsum Wall Board
ILOIn Lieu Of
INSULInsulated or Insulation
INTInterior
LOLow
MAXMaximum
MOMasonry Opening
MECHMechanical
MEMBRMembrane
MINMinimum
MRGWBMoisture-Resistant Gypsum Wall Board
MTLMetal
NICNot In Contract
NONumber
NOMNominal
OCOn Center
OHOverhang or Opposite Hand
OPPOpposite or Opposite Hand
OZOunce
PCCPre-Cast Concrete
PLUMBPlumbing
PLYDPlywood
PTPressure Treated
PNTPaint or Painted
PVCPolyvinyl Chloride
RBRRubber
RCPReflected Ceiling Plan
RDRoof Drain
REQDRequired
RMRoom
SIMSimilar
SDSmoke Detector
SPECSpecified OR Specification
SPKSprinkler or Speaker
SSTLStainless Steel
STCSound Transmission Coefficient
STLSteel
STRUCTStructure or Structural
T&GTongue And Groove
TEL, TELETelecommunications, Telephone
TLTToilet
TMETo Match Existing
TOTop Of
TOCTop Of Concrete
TOSTop Of Steel
TPDToilet Paper Dispenser
T/DTelephone/Data
TYPTypical
UNOUnless Noted Otherwise
U/SUnderside
VIFVerify In Field
VPVision Panel
W/With
WDWood

Article Updated: September 3, 2023

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