Level of Detail (LOD), sometimes called Level of Development, measures how developed and reliable a BIM element is, not how detailed it looks on screen. It is specified element by element and stage by stage. Use this table as a quick reference, then write LOD into your BIM Execution Plan.
| LOD | Means | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | Conceptual, mass, area and orientation only | Feasibility, early massing |
| 200 | Approximate generic elements, rough size and location | Schematic design |
| 300 | Precise geometry for coordinated documentation | Design development, CD set |
| 350 | LOD 300 plus the interfaces needed for multidiscipline clash detection | Coordination between trades |
| 400 | Detail, assembly and installation info sufficient to fabricate | Steel, ductwork, precast fabrication |
| 500 | Field-verified as-built geometry and data | Handover, facilities management |
How to use LOD well
- Match LOD to the project stage, not a single level for the whole job.
- Specify LOD per element, structure, architecture, MEP can each differ.
- Only push detail where a real downstream decision depends on it.
- Capture it all in an LOD matrix inside your BIM Execution Plan.
The common mistakes
Asking for "LOD 400 throughout" because more sounds safer, it bloats the file, inflates the fee, and most of the detail is discarded when the design changes. The opposite, specifying LOD 200 then expecting shop-ready output, leaves the fabricator guessing and the rework lands on site. Right-size every element instead.
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