Guide · Nov 5, 2026
How to Read Elevations and Sections: Exterior Elevations, Building Sections, Wall Sections and Cut Symbols
By Eli Gewirtzman, Owner · Last checked Nov 5, 2026
An elevation is a flat, straight-on view of one side of the building, showing heights, windows, doors, roof pitch and materials. A section is a view of the building sliced open along a line, showing what’s inside the walls, floors and roof. Find the section cut symbol on the floor plan, note its number and sheet, turn to that sheet, and read the slice in the direction the arrows point.
Elevations and sections are usually on the architectural (A) sheets, often A-200s for elevations and A-300s for sections, but firms vary. Our guide to what sheet numbers like A-101 mean covers the numbering. For the plan views these drawings key off, see how to read a floor plan.
1. Know the four kinds of drawing
| Drawing | What it shows | Typical scale |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior elevation | One face of the building, straight on: windows, doors, roof, materials, heights | 1/4″ = 1′-0″ or 1/8″ = 1′-0″ |
| Building section | The whole building cut through, floor to roof, showing levels and heights | 1/4″ = 1′-0″ or 1/8″ = 1′-0″ |
| Wall section | One wall cut from foundation to roof, with every layer labeled | 3/4″ = 1′-0″ to 1-1/2″ = 1′-0″ |
| Detail | A close-up of one connection, like a window head or roof eave | 1-1/2″ = 1′-0″ to 3″ = 1′-0″ |
The larger the scale, the more each drawing tells you about less of the building. Most permit sets include all four. Louisville, Colorado’s residential checklist asks for a complete set including “Elevations, Specifications, Building Sections, Wall Sections, Construction Details.”
2. Read the exterior elevations
Each elevation is named for the side it shows: North, South, East and West, or Front, Rear, Left and Right. Bingham County, Idaho, asks for “all four elevations (front, each side and back)” with height above finished grade. On each one, look for:
- Level lines and heights: horizontal lines labeled with the finished floor, top of plate and ridge heights. Louisville asks designers to “note the floor elevation for all floors, landings, and decks on plan views and building elevations.”
- Grade line: the ground along that side of the house. A sloped lot shows a sloped line.
- Roof pitch: a small triangle like 6:12, meaning 6 inches of rise for every 12 inches of run.
- Windows and doors: drawn in place, often with tags that match the window and door schedules.
- Materials: siding, stone, trim and roofing, either hatched or noted with leader lines.
A reminder about “elevation”: the word means both the drawing (a view of one side) and a height above a reference point (like an elevation of 100′-0″ at the first floor). The notes and the plan usually make clear which one is meant.
3. Find the section cut symbol
A section starts on the plan. Look for a heavy line across the building with a circle or flag at each end. The symbol tells you three things:
- The section number, like 1 or A, in the top half of the circle.
- The sheet it’s drawn on, like A-301, in the bottom half.
- The viewing direction, shown by the arrow or flag. You’re looking at the slice from that side.
So a bubble reading 2 over A-301 means “section 2, drawn on sheet A-301.” Turn to that sheet and find drawing 2. The same bubble system is used for wall sections and details, which is why it pays to read the cut symbols before you flip pages. Our blueprint abbreviations guide covers the labels you’ll find inside them.
4. Read the building section
A building section shows the whole house sliced open. Reading it bottom to top:
- Foundation: footing, foundation wall or slab, and the grade outside.
- Floor levels: each floor with its framing depth and finished floor height.
- Ceiling heights: the clear height in each room.
- Stairs: where they run between floors.
- Roof: rafters or trusses, pitch and attic space.
Building sections are where heights and levels come together. The structural drawings show the members in detail; the section shows how they stack.
5. Read the wall section
A wall section cuts through one exterior wall from the footing to the roof, at a large scale, with each layer called out. Bingham County asks for “wall sections – roof to foundation showing size/description of framing members.” Read it as a stack of layers, outside to inside:
| Layer | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Exterior finish | Siding, brick or stucco, with any air gap |
| Weather barrier | House wrap or building paper, flashing at openings |
| Sheathing | Plywood or OSB, sometimes with continuous insulation |
| Framing | Stud size and spacing, like 2×6 at 16″ o.c. |
| Insulation | Type and R-value in the cavity |
| Interior finish | Gypsum board |
| Floor and roof connections | Rim board, sill plate, anchor bolts, rafter or truss heel, insulation at the eave |
Detail bubbles on the wall section point to close-ups of the trickier spots, like the sill or the eave. If a layer on the wall section disagrees with the general notes or the energy compliance sheet, ask the designer.
What permit reviewers look for on elevations and sections
| Item | Bingham County, ID | Louisville, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Elevations of every side | All four, with height above finished grade | Required |
| Floor heights on elevations | Not stated | Floors, landings and decks |
| Building sections | Required for accessory dwellings | Required |
| Wall sections | Roof to foundation, framing members | Required |
| Construction details | Not stated | Required |
Your town’s list may differ. For how many paper copies a building department wants, see our plan copy requirements by state.
Printing elevations and sections
Elevations and building sections are often read with a scale ruler, especially for heights, so print them at the size they were drawn at. A half-size print changes every measurement taken off the page. Most residential sets are drawn on 24×36. Wall sections and details are drawn large but packed with small notes, so they suffer most from shrinking. Black and white is fine for most of these sheets; color only helps if the designer used it for materials or rendered elevations.
PrintMyPlans.com prints PDF plans on 20 lb bond at $1.95 per sheet in black and white or $3.75 in color, the same price at every size: 17×22, 18×24, 22×34, 24×36, 30×42 and 36×48. Printing only, before shipping:
| Example | Sheets | Black & white | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevations and sections, 1 copy | 4 | $7.80 | $15.00 |
| 8-sheet architectural set, 1 copy | 8 | $15.60 | $30.00 |
| 8-sheet architectural set, 2 copies (permit and site) | 16 | $31.20 | $60.00 |
WELCOME20 takes 20% off a first order, so the 16-sheet black-and-white example comes to $24.96 in printing. Price your own set with the plan printing cost calculator. For complete house sets, see architectural plan printing, and for trade and field sets, construction plan printing.
We print plans; we don’t design, stamp, check or change them. Questions about heights, materials or code items go to your designer.
FAQ
What is the difference between an elevation and a section?
An elevation shows the outside of one side of the building. A section shows the building cut open, so you can see the inside of the walls, floors and roof.
How do I read a section cut symbol?
The number on top is the section, the number below is the sheet it’s drawn on, and the arrow shows which way you’re looking.
What is the difference between a building section and a wall section?
A building section cuts through the whole house at a small scale. A wall section cuts through one wall at a larger scale, with every layer labeled.
What does 6:12 mean on an elevation?
Roof pitch: 6 inches of rise for every 12 inches of horizontal run.
Do I need to print elevations in color?
Usually not. Most are drawn to read in black and white.
For other sheets in the set, see our guides to electrical blueprints, plumbing plans, types of construction drawings and how to read blueprints.
Printing it
When the PDF is final, upload it on the order page and choose the size it was drawn at, black and white or color, and the number of copies. Order by 3 PM ET on business days and it ships same day, arrives as soon as the next day, rolled in protective tubes, to all 50 states. Free 2-day air shipping on orders over $95 (lower 48 states).
Sources
- Bingham County, ID, Planning and Development, Residential Permit Application Checklist (July 2024)
- City of Louisville, CO, 2024 IRC/IECC Residential Plan Review Checklist (revised 11/20/2025)
Order by 3 PM ET, ships same day. Delivery timing depends on the shipping service and destination. See the terms for business-day and holiday details.