What is the term for the ratio between the size of a drawn object and its actual size?

The term that refers to the ratio between the size of a drawn object and its actual size is known as scale. In technical drawings and architectural plans, scale allows designers, builders, and viewers to understand how the represented dimensions relate to real-world measurements. For example, a scale of 1:100 indicates that one unit of measurement in the drawing equals 100 units in reality.

Understanding scale is crucial for accurate interpretations of plans and for ensuring that structures are built to the specified dimensions. It plays a vital role in construction, as it ensures that everything fits together properly and that designs are executed as intended.

The other terms, while related to dimensions and measurements, do not specifically define the concept of the ratio between a drawing and actual size. Dimension refers to the measurement of size itself, measure can refer broadly to quantifying something, and proportion speaks to the relationship or ratio of one part to another within a whole rather than specifically about a drawing's relationship to its real life size.