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SOLIDWORKS How to Display Dimensions as Fractions

SOLIDWORKS makes it easy to display dimensions as fractions for an entire document or only specific dimensions when using inches, mils, microinches, or feet & inches. 

SOLIDWORKS How to Display Dimensions as Fractions

Displaying Dimensions as Fractions for an Entire Document

Open a drawing or drawing template and navigate to Tools > Options > Document Properties tab > Units, Unit System. 

 

    • Choose any unit under Custom or select IPS. 
    • Under Fractions, choose a denominator between 2 and 256. 
    • Under More, select ‘Round to Nearest Fraction.’ 
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Note, selecting Round to Nearest Fraction will ensure that all dimensions that have decimals will be converted to fractions. For example, if Round to Nearest Fraction is not checked, when the fraction denominator is set to 4, then 0.250 will be converted to 1/4, but 0.251 will remain displayed as a decimal. 

SOLIDWORKS How to Display Dimensions as Fractions

Once the document properties have been set, anywhere a dimensions value is entered will display as a fraction. You can still enter dimensions as decimals, though they will display as fractions once entered. 

SOLIDWORKS How to Display Dimensions as Fractions

Fractions can be switched back to decimals by simply selecting a unit precision from the Document Properties > Units > Unit System, Decimals column. 

SOLIDWORKS How to Display Dimensions as Fractions

Displaying Dimensions as Fractions for Specific Dimensions

To change the display for specific dimensions, within the graphics area, select the dimensions or select multiple dimensions and then in the Dimensions PropertyManager: 

 

    • Select the ‘Other’ tab. 
    • Check the ‘Override Units’ checkbox. 
SOLIDWORKS How to Display Dimensions as Fractions
    • Select the desired Length Units from the dropdown. 
    • Input a Denominator between 2 and 256 
    • Check the box next to Round to Nearest Fraction. 
  •  

Note, selecting Round to Nearest Fraction will ensure that all dimensions that have decimals will be converted to fractions. For example, if Round to Nearest Fraction is not checked, when the fraction denominator is set to 4, then 0.250 will be converted to 1/4, but 0.251 will remain displayed as a decimal. 

SOLIDWORKS How to Display Dimensions as Fractions

Tip for Displaying Fractions In-line

When displaying fractions, if your company permits modifying the ‘Overall Drafting Style’, you may consider changing Tools > Options > Document Properties tab >Dimensions >  Fractional Display > Style to x-xx as shown below. This will help differentiate between the whole numbers and fractions. All examples in this technical guide used this x-xx setting. 

SOLIDWORKS How to Display Dimensions as Fractions

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