Every sheet in your permit set has the same little box tucked into a corner — usually the bottom right — packed with text, numbers, and abbreviations. You've probably glanced at it and moved on to the actual drawing without really reading it. That box has a name, and it's actually one of the more important pieces of information on the entire sheet.
A title block is a standardized box, almost always in the bottom right corner of an architectural drawing, that identifies the sheet: what project it belongs to, what specifically it shows, who created it, when, at what scale, and where it falls in a multi-sheet set. Think of it as the drawing's label. Every professional drawing has one — it's not optional, it's standard practice — and knowing how to read it tells you a lot about whether the set you're holding is complete and current.
Below is an annotated example showing what a typical title block looks like and what each field tells you.
What information is in a title block
Project name. Identifies which project the drawing belongs to — something like "Smith Residence Addition."
Project address. The full property address, which matters especially if a firm is working on multiple projects with similar names — it's the address, not the name, that removes ambiguity.
Architect or drafter name. Identifies who created the drawings, so the building department (or you) know exactly who to contact with questions.
Sheet title. Describes what this specific sheet shows — "Site Plan," "Floor Plan – Existing," "Elevation – North." You genuinely can't always tell what a drawing is showing just by looking at the lines; the label tells you directly.
Sheet number. A short code identifying this sheet within the larger set — something like "A2.1" or "S-1." In a multi-sheet set, sheet numbers are how you confirm you have every sheet, and in what order.
Drawing scale. States the scale the drawing was produced at — "1/4"=1'-0"," "1"=20'-0"," or "NTS" (not to scale) if that applies. This tells you how to interpret any dimension you're reading off the drawing itself.
Date. When the drawing was created or last revised — a quick way to confirm you're looking at a current version rather than an outdated one.
Revision information. Notes tracking changes — commonly a small table listing each revision number, its date, and a brief description like "Revised setback per city comment."
North arrow. A symbol indicating which direction is north, orienting the drawing so you know which side of the building you're looking at.
General notes. Any additional information relevant to the drawing or project that doesn't belong directly on the drawing itself.
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Project name/address | Which project and property this belongs to |
| Architect/drafter | Who created it, who to contact |
| Sheet title | What this specific sheet shows |
| Sheet number | Where this sheet falls in the full set |
| Scale | How to read dimensions on the drawing |
| Date | How current the drawing is |
| Revision info | What's changed and when |
| North arrow | Compass orientation |
Why title blocks matter
Identification. In a fifteen-sheet permit set, without title blocks you'd have no reliable way to know which sheet is which. The title block identifies every sheet instantly, without you needing to interpret the drawing itself.
Tracking. Building departments use title blocks to track exactly which version of a drawing was reviewed and approved. When you submit a revision, the title block's date needs to update to reflect that — it's how the department knows they're looking at the current version, not an earlier one.
Completeness. A missing or incomplete title block can be grounds for a building department to treat the set as incomplete, even if the actual drawing content is fine. "Drawing lacks identification information" is a real, avoidable rejection reason.
Professional credibility. A clean, fully completed title block signals careful, professional work. A sloppy or half-filled one raises a reasonable question about how carefully the rest of the set was prepared.
Title block vs. sheet number
These two terms get used almost interchangeably, but they're not the same thing. The sheet number is a short code identifying one specific sheet — "A1.0," for example — usually appearing both within the title block and sometimes again at the top of the sheet. The title block is the entire box containing all the identifying information — project name, drawing title, scale, date, and, among other things, the sheet number itself. The sheet number is one field inside the title block, not a separate document or location.
What should be in a title block
Building departments typically expect to see:
- Project name
- Project address
- Architect or drafter name and contact information
- Sheet title, describing what this sheet shows
- Sheet number, identifying this sheet within the set
- Drawing scale (or "NTS" if not to scale)
- Date created and date of most recent revision
- North arrow
- A legend, if the drawing uses symbols that need explaining
Some title blocks go further, including a project number for internal firm tracking, a "checked by" or "approved by" field, a copyright notice, or the sheet's physical paper size (A-size, B-size, and so on). These extras vary by firm and aren't universally required, but the core fields above are what every complete title block should contain.
How to read a title block
Start with the sheet title field — it tells you exactly what this drawing shows, whether that's "Site Plan," "Floor Plan – Existing," or "Elevation – North." Next, check the scale — something like "1/4"=1'-0"" or "1"=20'-0"" — since this determines how any measurement on the drawing should actually be interpreted. Look at the date: if it seems old relative to when you actually hired someone or when the project started, that's worth asking about directly. Note the architect or drafter name, so you know who to reach out to with questions. Find the sheet number and use it, across every sheet in the set, to confirm you actually have everything and that it's in the expected order. Finally, do a quick completeness check — are all the fields actually filled in, or are there blanks where information should be? A blank field in a title block is a small thing that's easy to miss and easy to flag.
Common title block mistakes
Missing entirely. A sheet with no title block at all gets treated as incomplete by most building departments — a straightforward, avoidable rejection.
Incomplete fields. The box is present, but scale, date, or another field is left blank. This typically triggers a request for correction and adds delay.
Wrong sheet title. The title block says "Floor Plan" but the actual content shows an elevation. Confusing at best, and it forces a plan checker to spend time figuring out what they're actually looking at.
Missing sheet numbers. In a multi-sheet set without numbering, there's no reliable way to confirm you have every sheet or that they're in the correct order.
No scale specified. Without a stated scale, dimensions on the drawing can't be read accurately by anyone reviewing it.
Outdated date. A drawing that's been revised multiple times but still shows its original date leaves the reviewer unsure which version they're actually looking at.
| Element | What to check | Common mistake | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet title | Matches the actual drawing content | Mislabeled sheet | Correct the label before submission |
| Scale | Present and legible | Missing or "NTS" without explanation | Add the correct scale notation |
| Sheet number | Present, sequential, matches sheet list | Missing entirely | Number every sheet consistently |
| Date | Reflects the current revision | Frozen at original date | Update on every resubmittal |
| All fields | Fully completed, no blanks | Partial completion | Fill every field before submitting |
Title block formats vary — and that's normal
Not every title block looks the same. Different firms use different layouts — some intentionally simple, showing only the essential fields; others more elaborate, with a full revisions table, a symbols legend, and even a plot date and time stamp. Professional guidelines exist (the American Institute of Architects publishes format recommendations, for instance), but there's real flexibility in exactly how the information gets arranged. What matters isn't the specific layout — it's that every essential field is present, legible, and accurate, regardless of which format a given firm uses.
Title blocks and multi-sheet sets
In a twelve-sheet drawing set, every single sheet carries its own title block. The sheet numbers tell you the organizational logic: architectural sheets commonly use an "A" prefix (A1.0, A2.0, A3.0), site-related sheets an "S" prefix, electrical sheets an "E" prefix, and so on. The exact numbering convention varies by firm — some use "A-1, A-2, A-3," others "A1.0, A1.1, A1.2," others simple sequential numbers — but whatever the format, the title block is what makes clear exactly which sheet you're looking at and what it's for, across the entire set.
Revision history in the title block
A well-built title block includes a revision table tracking every change made to that sheet over time:
| Rev # | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5/1/24 | Issued for permit |
| 2 | 5/15/24 | Revised setback per city comment |
| 3 | 6/1/24 | Updated window specs |
This table is how anyone reviewing the drawing — you, your contractor, or the plan checker — can see that it's been updated and understand exactly what changed at each step. One thing worth double-checking on any resubmittal: the title block's primary date field should update to reflect the most recent revision, not stay frozen at the original issue date. If you're the one submitting a revised set, confirm this updated before it goes anywhere near the building department.
What to check in a title block
Before you consider your drawings ready:
- Project name matches your actual project
- Address is correct
- Architect or drafter name is present
- Sheet title accurately describes what the sheet actually shows
- Sheet number is present, if it's a multi-sheet set
- Scale is specified, or marked NTS
- Date is current, not months out of date
- Revision information is clear and current
- North arrow is present, at minimum on the site plan
- Every field is filled in — no blanks
If anything's missing or incorrect, flag it to your drafter or architect before submission. See How to Read a Permit Drawing Set for the fuller verification process this fits into.
FAQ
Where should a title block be located on a drawing?
Almost always the bottom right corner of the sheet — this is the near-universal convention in architectural drafting, though occasionally bottom left or top right shows up depending on the firm's format.
What does "NTS" mean in a title block?
"Not to scale" — it indicates the drawing wasn't produced at a consistent, measurable scale, so dimensions shouldn't be read directly off the drawing itself. Usually paired with explicit dimension callouts instead.
Why do architects use sheet numbers?
To identify each sheet's specific place in a multi-sheet set and confirm nothing is missing or out of order. In a twelve-sheet set, sheet numbers are the fastest way to verify you actually have everything.
What if my drawing doesn't have a title block?
That's a real problem — most building departments will treat it as an incomplete submission. Flag it to your drafter or architect immediately; every sheet in a professional set should carry one.
Can I create my own title block format?
If you're the one preparing drawings, yes, within reason — professional guidelines exist but allow flexibility in layout. For a permit set someone else is preparing for you, the format is their choice; what matters is that every essential field is present and accurate.
What information is most important in a title block?
The sheet title, the scale, and the date are the three fields worth checking first — they tell you what you're looking at, how to read it, and whether it's current. From there, confirm the sheet number and revision history if you're working with a multi-sheet set.
The bottom line
A title block looks like a small, forgettable detail tucked into the corner of a drawing, but it's doing real work — identifying the sheet, tracking its revision history, and confirming who's responsible for it. A quick check of these fields tells you a lot about whether the set you're holding is complete and current, and it's one of the fastest things to verify before you submit anything.
If you want your drawings properly formatted and complete — every title block filled in, every sheet correctly numbered and dated — that's part of how we prepare every permit set, not an afterthought. Start with permit drawing services, or see What Is a Permit Set? for the fuller picture of everything a complete set includes.