GD&T Symbols and Guidelines Cheat Sheet

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1
0.03 M ABC Datum
The controlling feature
6 degrees of freedom
All the possible translation
Datum Reference Frame
The concept of controlling the degrees of
Tolerance Zone
The tolerance listed in the feature
(axis, surface, plane or point) and rotation movements a freedom using perpendicular planes in a fixture control frame where all the points
1. Leader Arrow where GD&T is referenced to. part can make in free state. that represent the datum controls. of the referenced feature must lie.
2. Geometric Control This feature is held fixed X,Y,Z movement and Tolerance zones are the total range of
Symbol when the part rotation about the ry the tolerance (sum of both directions).
d a Ter
3. Diameter Symbol is measured. X,Y and Z Axes. To control all 6 degrees of freedom: c o n t iar

A
Se y
4. Geometric Tolerance Primary Datum: 3 Points of contact
5. Modifier/Feature Secondary Datum: 2 Points of contact
of size Tertiary Datum: 1 Point of contact ry
a
6. Primary Datum Pri
m

7. Secondary Datum
8. Tertiary Datum
All drawings made in
first angle projection

MMC or LMC
SYMBOL NAME ON DRAWING TOLERANCE ZONE GAUGING Description Datums
Applicable? Points to Remember

Two parallel lines 2D Tolerance Zone: Not No (Surface) ÌÌTolerance must be less than dimensional tolerance.
0.03
0.03 apart Two parallel lines Allowed ÌÌRFS applies in surface condition.
Straightness ÌÌAll points along each line element must lie within
the tolerance zone.
Features of Size Condition
(Surface) RFS - Regardless of Feature Size
Geometric tolerances are as-is and need to be
within tolerance regardless of the size of the
10±0.050 Cylindrical Tolerance Zone 3D Tolerance Zone: Not Yes (Axis) ÌÌ Envelope Principle (Rule #1) no longer applies. feature. No additional allowances for features
0.03 when Part ∅ = 10.05 Cylinder Gauge ID = M +
0.03 M Cylindrical Boundary Allowed ÌÌ The Straightness or Flatness tolerance may be larger
M Straightness 0.13 when Part ∅ = 9.95
Gauge ID = within which the central than the size tolerance (unlike the other form tolerances)
of size. No functional gauging is allowed.
This is the default condition on all GD&T unless
(Derived Median Line w/ M ) 10.08 axis must entirely lie. ÌÌ Functional Gauge is allowed if MMC is called to control
both size and geometry. otherwise specified - See Rule # 2 below.
ÌÌ Part size must still be within its specified size tolerance
Maximum Material Condition (MMC)
Two parallel planes
0.03 apart
3D tolerance Zone: Not No (Surface) ÌÌRule#1 still applies. If a flat surface is at its M The specific dimension within the
Flatness
0.03 Two parallel planes, where Allowed maximum size dimension, the flatness must be
the entire surface must lie. perfect. tolerance range of a feature where the maximum
(Surface) ÌÌTolerance must be less than dimensional tolerance. amount (volume) of material would be in the part.
FORM

ÌÌDifferent from Parallelism: No Datum or references.

For an internal feature like a hole - Smallest Size
3D Tolerance Zone: Not Yes ÌÌ Envelope Principle (Rule #1) no longer applies. For an external feature like a pin - Largest Size
Planar Tolerance Zone Gauge spacing
Two Parallel planes where Allowed (Median ÌÌ The Straightness or Flatness tolerance may be
Flatness
10±0.05 Two parallel planes at Virtual Condition
Least Material Condition (LMC)
0.03 M 0.03 apart
M + = 10.08 the entire derived median
plane of the part must lie.
Plane) larger than the size tolerance (unlike the other form
tolerances)
L The specific dimension within the
M (Derived Median
ÌÌ Functional Gauge is allowed if MMC is called to control tolerance range of a feature where the least
Plane w/ M ) both size and geometry. amount (volume) of material would be in the part.
ÌÌ Part size must still be within its specified size tolerance
For an internal feature like a hole - Largest Size
Two concentric circles 2D Tolerance Zone: Not No ÌÌCan be measured in multiple cross sections to For an external feature like a pin - Smallest Size
0.03 0.03 apart
Coaxial circles which all Allowed determine if each cross section is round.
Circularity elements must fall into. ÌÌCannot control taper.
ÌÌTolerance must be less than dimensional tolerance.
Bonus Tolerance
When a feature is controlled under M the entire
virtual condition is established. (See virtual
Two concentric cylinders 3D Tolerance Zone: Not No ÌÌCombination of Straightness and Circularity. condition below).
0.03 0.03 apart Coaxial cylinders which Allowed ÌÌCan control taper and straightness of part. If there is a difference between the actual value
Cylindricity all elements on the entire
cylinder must fall into.
ÌÌTolerance must be less than dimensional tolerance. and MMC, this bonus tolerance may then be
added to the geometrical tolerance.
When MMC is used:
Two parallel planes
0.03 apart
2D or 3D Tolerance Zone: Required No (Surface) ÌÌControls orientation as well as Straightness (2D) For an internal feature like a hole:
0.03 A parallel to datum Parallel lines or planes, equally Yes (Axis) or Flatness (3D). Bonus tolerance = Actual feature size – MMC.
Parallelism A
Datum A
Flat datum block
(Datum A)
set apart, that are controlled
parallel to a datum feature.
ÌÌMMC can also be applied to Parallelism when
controlling a feature of size.
For internal features, the smallest diameter is the
Gauge kept parallel to datum MMC, and you gain bonus tolerance as you get
larger.
2D or 3D Tolerance Zone: Required No (Surface) ÌÌControls orientation as well as Straightness (2D) For an external feature like a pin:
0.03 A Two parallel planes Bonus tolerance = MMC – Actual feature size.
Perpendicularity A
0.03 apart Flat datum block
(Datum A)
Parallel lines or planes,
equally set apart, that are
or Flatness (3D).
ÌÌMMC can also be applied to Perpendicularity when For external features, the largest
(Feature) set perpendicular (90°) controlling an axis. (see below).
ORIENTATION

90°
Datum A Gauge kept perpendicular to datum
to a datum feature.
diameter is the MMC, and you gain
bonus tolerance as you get smaller.
Gauge pin Pin Gauge OD = M − 3D Tolerance Zone: Required Yes (Axis) ÌÌHole must fall within size limits.
10±0.05
Axis
inserted Cylindrical boundary that is ÌÌFunctional Gauge is allowed if MMC is called to For Least Material Condition, the bonus
0.03 M A perpendicular Pin Gauge ∅ = 9.92
directly perpendicular to the control both size and geometry.
M
Perpendicularity Tolerance Zone
at M
to datum
90°
(9.95 - 0.03)
datum plane. The derived axis
tolerance is the amount of deviation away
from the LMC size.
(Feature of Size w/ M ) of the referenced feature must
entirely fall in this zone.
A Datum A
Multiple datums may be used
to specify Perpendicularity Other Datum Symbols
Two parallel planes 2D or 3D Tolerance Zone: Required No (Surface) ÌÌParallelism and Perpendicularity are specific forms
0.03 A
0.03 apart Parallel lines or planes, Yes (Axis) of Angularity. 4 Datum Target
A1
Angularity 60° A Gauge
equally set apart that are
set at a specified angle.
ÌÌTolerance Zone is in distance units, NOT an angle. Reference to locate datum points needed
to create a theoretical datum plane in order to
Block
60°
Datum A
60
° 60° measure the part.
Target Points
Specific measurement location for the
Uniform Linear Boundary About True Profile Datum B 2D Tolerance Zone: Optional No ÌÌTolerance can be Unilateral with the callout to
0.03 A B 0.03 apart
Two uniform parallel lines RFS Only allow the tolerance zone to be asymmetrical.
datum targets shown on the current drawing view.
Profile
Gauge must
B A follow true profile. (usually curved) that follow the ÌÌCommonly used on curved surfaces or complex
of a line Basic dimensions (not shown)
Profile is usually
measured with a CMM.
true profile of the feature. All
points along the profile line must
geometry.
ÌÌBasic dimensions are required when datums are Additional Symbols used in GD&T
PROFILE

are required to define the True Datum A lie within this tolerance zone. used.
Profile when datums are used.

0.03 A B
Profile B A
of a surface Basic dimensions (not shown)
are required to define the True
Profile when datums are used.
Projected Tolerance
Uniform Surface Boundary About True Profile Datum B 3D Tolerance Zone: Optional No ÌÌTolerance can be Unilateral with the callout to P The tolerance zone is extended out
0.03 apart Gauge must Two uniform parallel surfaces RFS Only allow the tolerance zone to be asymmetrical.
follow true profile. (usually curved) that follow the
true profile of the feature.
ÌÌCommonly used on curved surfaces or complex
geometry.
beyond the limit of the part, to a specified
height above the limit of the feature. Used
Profile is usually
measured with a CMM. All points along the profile line
must lie within this tolerance
ÌÌAlso may be used to control how two surfaces are
with respect to each other.
commonly with perpendicularity to represent
Datum A
zone. ÌÌBasic dimensions required when datums are used.
the virtual condition of a pin or stud.

Free State
10±0.05
Part (actual) position Measure X and Y location and compare to the true position. 2D or 3D Tolerance Zone: Required Yes ÌÌWhen a axial feature like a hole or pin is referenced, F The part may not be restricted during
0.03 A B C
Cylindrical or circular boundary the central axis of the part is controlled. inspection.
2X √ (Actual X - True X)2 + (Actual Y - True Y)2
B Y where the central axis or ÌÌWhen a planar feature like a tab or slot is
This formula must be less than plane of a feature of size referenced, the midplane of the feature is
Position
Actual
20.0 True
Actual Y
the ∅ True Position tolerance
must lie, with respect to the controlled. Independency
True 0.03 True Y theoretically true location. ÌÌIf referencing a perpendicular datum (in this Rule #1 is overridden and the
30.0 center
example, Datum C), Perpendicularity can also be part’s geometric tolerance is no longer
C A X controlled in addition to the Position. restricted by the limits of size.
True X Actual X

Statistical Tolerance
Actual
Pin Position Part
FUNCTIONAL
GAUGING Part Tolerance Zone
3D Tolerance Zone:
Cylindrical boundary, or parallel
Required Yes ÌÌCan control Perpendicularity as well as size.
ÌÌVery common for use with functional gauging
ST The tolerances of the part are derived
10±0.05
of Pin Gauge
0.03 M A B C planes, where the entire axis in MMC. from statistical analysis of individual components
Position
True or median plane of a feature ÌÌWith functional gauging the feature is controlled
B position For an For an True and will vary depending on a calculation done
External Internal position must lie, with reference to its within its virtual condition.
M (Maximum Material Tolerance Zone Feature Feature theoretical true location. (In for assembly. This may allow for improved
25.0

Condition)
of Hole Gauge Actual
this example it is for an axis) function or reduced production costs.
Hole Position
LOCATION

Tangent Plane
25.0 C A Gauge Hole ∅ = Virtual Condition Gauge Gauge Gauge Pin ∅ = Virtual Condition
T A tangent plane is established on the
(Largest Pin Size [MMC] + Position Tol.) (Smallest Hole Size [MMC] - Position Tol.)
surface of a part based on the part’s orientation.
1 3D Tolerance Zone: Required No ÌÌPosition should be considered first to control When called, only the virtual tangent plane
0.03 A
The following is usually Cylindrical boundary where all RFS Only a part coaxially. needs to be within the tolerance zone, and
Measured axis Datum axis done with a CMM: the reference feature’s median ÌÌControls the distribution of surface form, not all the surface points need to be within.
1. Determine axis points must lie. Boundary is but not the magnitude.
Concentricity 0.03
Datum axis
2. Measure referenced controlled with reference to the ÌÌVery difficult to measure for! Use only when
inertial effects need to be controlled or part
Basic Dimensions
10.5 Dimensions that are listed without a
surface central axis of the datum feature.
A

Datum A
A Tolerance Zone
3. Determine if central cannot be measured with runout.
axis falls in TZ ÌÌMedian points of reference feature are held in tolerance and in a rectangular box that represent
Diameter Symbol is required control by datum axis. the true location of a feature to locate a tolerance
zone. Used commonly with true position.
A A 3D Tolerance Zone: Required No Ì Position should be considered first to control
0.03 A
A The following is
Two parallel planes where RFS Only a part coaxially.
Datum A usually done all the median points of the Ì Controls the distribution of surface form, Diameter Symbol
Plane with a CMM: referenced features must but not the magnitude.
Symmetry 1
1. Determine
Datum plane
lie. Boundary is controlled
with reference to the central
Ì Very difficult to measure for! Use Position
2. Measure both with orientation or form control to specify.
surfaces of features plane of the datum feature. Ì Median points of reference feature are held in
Two parallel planes
3. Determine if
midpoints fall in TZ control by datum median plane. Profile Specific Callouts
0.03 apart

All Around Symbol

0.03 A Datum A 2D Tolerance Zone: Required No ÌÌRFS always applies. Indicates that the geometric
Fixed + Rotated
Two concentric circles that are RFS Only ÌÌCombination of Concentricity and Circularity. tolerances apply to every surface around
A Datum A
controlled with relation to the ÌÌVery useful to prevent wobble of cylindrical parts.
A

Fixed axially the part in the specified view.

Runout + Rotated datum axis, where all points
on the reference feature must
ÌÌNormal/Circular runout only checks individual
sections independent of each other.
A
lie when the part is rotated. ÌÌCan also be used on flat surfaces perpendicular to Unequally Disposed Profile Symbol
U When specified, the tolerance zone for
RUNOUT

A the datum axis

Can also be used on flat surfaces
perpendicular to the datum axis
profile is no longer symmetrical to the true
profile. The value following the symbol indicates
Datum A 3D Tolerance Zone: Required No ÌÌRFS always applies. how much of the total tolerance is ‘shifted’ in
0.03 A Fixed + Rotated
Two concentric cylinders that RFS Only ÌÌCombination of Concentricity and Cylindricity.
Datum A
are controlled with relation ÌÌControls two features together during rotation. the direction that adds material to the part.
A

A Fixed axially

Total Runout ÌÌVery useful to prevent wobble of cylindrical parts

+ Rotated to the datum axis, where
A
all points on the reference but is a very tight control. Between Symbol
feature must lie (all at once) ÌÌAll points are to be in spec at all times Specifies the exact limits of the surface
A when the part is rotated. ÌÌCan also be used on flat surfaces perpendicular to
Can also be used on flat surfaces the datum axis or line that the profile tolerance controls.
perpendicular to the datum axis This helps clear up where exactly the
profile needs to be within tolerance.

RULE # 1 OF GD&T: ENVELOPE PRINCIPLE
Where only normal dimensional tolerance of
size exists on a part, the variation of size and
the geometric form must not extend past
dimensional tolerance zone.
10.0±0.1
Rule # 1 Explained Rule # 1 exceptions Virtual Condition
Rule # 1 means the part in its virtual condition Rule #1 does not apply when: The total sum of all size and geometric tolerances
(size + geometry) cannot extend beyond the - The independency symbol is used. on a part that form the "worst" case limit of all
dimensional tolerance on the drawing. The part - Straightness is applied to a feature of size. the tolerances.
envelope is the full limit of all geometry. When the - Flatness is applied to a feature of size.
part is at MMC, the surface must have perfect form. - The part is a stock size or a non-rigid part. For Max Material Condition:
Cannot exceed boundaries, For internal features like a hole:
no matter what the geometric Example: If circularity was called on the example Virtual Condition = M - Geometric tolerance
tolerances are. to the left, but the part is at its maximum diameter, RULE # 2: IMPLIED REGARDLESS OF FEATURE SIZE
For external features like a pin:
10.1 the circularity must be near perfect as to not Regardless of Feature Size is always implied on geometric
Virtual Condition = M + Geometric tolerance
extend the boundary of the size (diameter) tolerances unless otherwise specified by Least Material
9.9
tolerance beyond the upper boundary. Condition L or Maximum Material Condition M .

Copyright © Pareto Learning LLC - All Rights Reserved - Chart designed by Andrea Barbieri <www.andreabarbieri.net>
 The Four Fundamental Elements of GD&T
Y

SIZE Z
LOCATION X

The physical size of your feature. The location in 3D space of your feature.
How big is your feature? How is the feature located in X, Y, Z?

Further Refining Y

Your Feature V

W U
Z X

FORM ORIENTATION
The overall shape of your feature. The orientation in 3D space of your feature.
What is the shape of your feature? How is the feature oriented in u, v, w?

A feature of size is controlled by an Axis or Midplane or

Derived Features (Derived Median Points, Lines and Planes) Not controlling SLOF
leads to bad parts.

SURFACES FEATURES OF SIZE

SF SF
4X 20 +0.021

15±0.2 4X90°±5°
75±0.1

(Rule #1) (Rule #1)

F
50 +0.062

F (Derived Median
64 +0.5
- 0.1

Line and Plane) 100±0.5

12.7 +0.2
25±0.05

OF O
EVERY feature must
be controlled for SLOF
SL OF SL OF for a complete drawing.

LO 4X 20 +0.021
0.1 A B
0.05

75
4X 90°

Distribution/
L OF
B

Evenness of A

Form Only (Derived Median Points) 50 +0.062

L OF L OF
64 +0.5
- 0.1
0.2 B

100±0.5
2AB

12.7 +0.2
25±0.05

Copyright © GD&T Basics - Pareto Learning LLC - Chart designed by Andrea Barbieri <www.andreabarbieri.net>