AUTOCAD Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield AUTOCAD facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What professional practice should be followed when using AutoCAD's PURGE command before submitting a drawing? → Run PURGE to remove unused layers, blocks, linetypes, and styles to reduce file size
2. Which command lets you query an AutoCAD object's properties to verify that it meets a specified design criterion, such as an exact wall thickness? → PROPERTIES or MEASUREGEOM
3. What is the purpose of dimensions in AutoCAD? → To accurately display measurements of objects, distances, and angles on a drawing
4. What is the OFFSET command? → Creating a parallel copy of an object at a specified distance
5. What is the first step in risk assessment for AutoCAD - AutoCAD Design Certification professionals? → Identifying potential hazards and vulnerabilities in the specific context
6. What is the purpose of the Layer 0 in AutoCAD? → It is the default layer that exists in every drawing and is used as a base for blocks
7. What is DWF (Design Web Format) primarily used for in AutoCAD workflows? → Sharing drawings for review without giving access to the source DWG file
8. Under ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements reflected in architectural CAD drawings, what is the minimum clear door width for accessible routes? → 32 inches
9. In a visual lisp routine, where do you make changes? → Visual LISP editor
10. Which AutoCAD command creates a composite 2D solid region by subtracting one region from another? → SUBTRACT
11. Which AutoCAD command generates a report listing all blocks inserted in a drawing, supporting evidence-based quantity take-off verification? → DATAEXTRACTION (Data Extraction Wizard)
12. What is the function of the rotation command? → Rotates objects around a basepoint
13. Which AutoCAD command would you use to create a true mathematical torus (donut solid) in 3D? → TORUS
14. When using the SPLINE command, what does the 'Fit' method use to define the curve? → Points that the curve passes through
15. In AutoCAD, which file type represents an industry-standard format for exchanging drawing data between different CAD software vendors? → DXF (Drawing Exchange Format)
16. The Linetype Scale can be changed with which command? → LTS
17. What is the purpose of the 'Width' option when drawing a polyline with PLINE? → Sets the line thickness that is visible and plotted
18. In AutoCAD, which palette is used to browse, preview, and insert blocks from libraries? → Design Center (ADCENTER)
19. Which layer naming convention is defined by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) CAD Layer Guidelines for US architectural projects? → A-WALL-FULL for architectural full-height walls
20. Which quality control step should a CAD professional perform before issuing a drawing set to a client? → Run AUDIT, check for layer compliance, verify title block data, and perform a plot preview
21. In a layout (paper space), what command is used to create a new floating viewport? → MVIEW
22. The objects on the layer are not visible and are not considered when the drawing is regenerated if you choose which of the following options? → When you froze the layer
23. What is the BLOCKREPLACE command used for? → Replacing all instances of one block with a different block definition
24. What does the term 'drawing scale' represent in professional CAD documentation? → The ratio of drawing size to real-world size
25. Which AutoCAD command creates a rectangular array of objects along both X and Y axes simultaneously? → ARRAY with Rectangular option
26. How should an AutoCAD professional respond to a compliance violation? → Report it promptly, investigate the root cause, and implement corrective actions
27. What is the function of the PURGE command in AutoCAD? → Removes unused named objects like blocks, layers, and styles
28. When an AutoCAD drawing must comply with OSHA regulations for facility layouts, which type of annotation is typically required to mark hazardous areas? → Safety symbols per ANSI Z535 color and symbol standards
29. In AutoCAD, what polar coordinate entry would draw a line 5 units long at a 45-degree angle from the current point? → @5<45
30. One of the selections below is incorrect in terms of the type of AutoCad drawing units. Which one is it? → Millimeter