Learn the basics
What Is a Floor Plan?
A floor plan is a scaled drawing that shows a building’s layout from above. This guide explains what floor plans are, the main types, and how they are used across property, design and construction.
What is a floor plan?
A floor plan is a scaled, top-down drawing of a building or room that shows the layout, dimensions and relationships between spaces — including walls, doors, windows and fixtures. It is used to communicate how a space is arranged for marketing, design and construction.
What a floor plan shows
A floor plan presents a building as if you removed the roof and looked straight down. It captures the essentials of how a space works.
- The position and size of rooms
- Walls, doors, windows and openings
- Fixtures such as kitchens and bathrooms
- Measurements and total floor area
The main types of floor plan
Floor plans come in several forms depending on the purpose.
- 2D floor plans — flat, top-down views, ideal for measurements
- 3D floor plans — add depth and furniture for marketing
- Interactive floor plans — clickable plans with photos and tours
- Site plans — show a building within its plot or development
How floor plans are used
Floor plans are central to buying, selling, letting, designing and building property. Buyers use them to judge layout, agents use them to market homes, and designers and builders use them to plan work.
FAQ
Common questions
Bring every floor plan tool into one platform
Create, convert, enhance, measure, visualise and share professional floor plans online with FloorPlans Studio.