The

ALPHABET
of
LINES
 ALPHABET OF LINES
The different lines and line symbols
used on drawings form a kind of
graphic alphabet commonly known as
the alphabet of lines. Two line
widths-thick and thin-are generally
used. Drawings are easier to read
when there is good contrast among
different kinds of lines. All lines must
be uniformly sharp and black.
 Visible or Object Lines
are thick dark solid (unbroken)
lines that are used on drawings
to indicate the edges and
details of an object.
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HEX BOLT 11
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SECTION A-A

1. Phantom 2. Section 3. Hidden 4. Cutting/viewing

5. Leader 6. Hidden 7. Center 8. Visible/object
9. Extension 10. Break 11. Visible/object
12. Section 13. Extension 14. Break 15. Dimension
Hidden Lines are thin dashed
lines used to indicate a
surface, edge, or contour of an
object that cannot be seen, or
is hidden from view.
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HEX BOLT 11
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SECTION A-A

1. Phantom 2. Section 3. Hidden 4. Cutting/viewing

5. Leader 6. Hidden 7. Center 8. Visible/object
9. Extension 10. Break 11. Visible/object
12. Section 13. Extension 14. Break 15. Dimension
Center lines are thin lines made
up of alternating long and short
dashes. They are used to indicate
the center of symmetrical
features, such as circles or arcs.
They are used as an aid in
dimensioning.
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SECTION A-A

1. Phantom 2. Section 3. Hidden 4. Cutting/viewing

5. Leader 6. Hidden 7. Center 8. Visible/object
9. Extension 10. Break 11. Visible/object
12. Section 13. Extension 14. Break 15. Dimension
Section Lines are thin “cross
hatching” lines used in
sectional views to symbolize
different parts of an object or
different materials from which
an object is manufactured.
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HEX BOLT 11
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SECTION A-A

1. Phantom 2. Section 3. Hidden 4. Cutting/viewing

5. Leader 6. Hidden 7. Center 8. Visible/object
9. Extension 10. Break 11. Visible/object
12. Section 13. Extension 14. Break 15. Dimension
Extension a thin line that
extends from the object in
order to show dimension
limits.
Dimension line a thin line
with an arrowhead in one end
used to indicate the
measurements of the object
Leader Lines accompanied
by a number indicating a size
or location dimension.
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HEX BOLT 11
5 12
SECTION A-A

1. Phantom 2. Section 3. Hidden 4. Cutting/viewing

5. Leader 6. Hidden 7. Center 8. Visible/object
9. Extension 10. Break 11. Visible/object
12. Section 13. Extension 14. Break 15. Dimension
 Cutting Plane or Viewing Plane Lines
are very thick lines that indicate where an
imaginary cutting plane passes through
an object, for viewing or sectioning
purposes. Arrowheads on both ends of
the line point toward the surface to be
viewed.
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HEX BOLT 11
5 12
SECTION A-A

1. Phantom 2. Section 3. Hidden 4. Cutting/viewing

5. Leader 6. Hidden 7. Center 8. Visible/object
9. Extension 10. Break 11. Visible/object
12. Section 13. Extension 14. Break 15. Dimension
Break Lines are used to shorten
a view, or to eliminate repetitive
details when an entire view is not
necessary.
Long break lines a medium thick
line consisting of broken and
straight lines drawn alternately.
This is also known as the limiting
line. This limits the length of an
elongated object without changing
the size of its view
Short break lines – thick line
drawn in freehand to show details
that a part has been cut off
or broken out
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HEX BOLT 11
5 12
SECTION A-A

1. Phantom 2. Section 3. Hidden 4. Cutting/viewing

5. Leader 6. Hidden 7. Center 8. Visible/object
9. Extension 10. Break 11. Visible/object
12. Section 13. Extension 14. Break 15. Dimension
 Phantom Lines are thin lines
used to indicate alternate
positions of moving parts, lines
of motion, adjacent parts and
repetitive details.
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7 A 4
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HEX BOLT 11
5 12
SECTION A-A

1. Phantom 2. Section 3. Hidden 4. Cutting/viewing

5. Leader 6. Hidden 7. Center 8. Visible/object
9. Extension 10. Break 11. Visible/object
12. Section 13. Extension 14. Break 15. Dimension
Directions: Read and interpret the given figure below. Identify the lettered lines
used (A – N) to draw the object. Place your answer on a separate sheet of paper
THE END