What LOD Do I Need? BIM Level of Development Explained
LOD 100 to LOD 500 in plain language, and how to choose the level that matches what you will actually do with the model.
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Request a QuoteLevel of Development describes how much a modelled element can be relied upon, not how detailed it looks. It is a statement about confidence: at a low LOD an element is approximate and generic, at a high LOD its geometry, position and attached information are verified and specific.
Choosing an LOD is therefore a budget decision and a risk decision at once. Too low and the model cannot support the work. Too high and you pay for certainty nobody uses.
The levels in plain language
| Level | What it means | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| LOD 100 | Conceptual. Elements shown symbolically, with approximate size and location. | Early feasibility and massing |
| LOD 200 | Generic elements with approximate quantities, size, shape and orientation. | Schematic design |
| LOD 300 | Specific elements with accurate size, shape, location and orientation. | Design development and construction documents |
| LOD 350 | As LOD 300, plus interfaces and connections to other elements. | Multi-discipline coordination and clash detection |
| LOD 400 | Detailed enough for fabrication and assembly. | Prefabrication and shop drawings |
| LOD 500 | Field-verified as-built condition with attached information. | Handover and facility management |
How LOD works differently for existing buildings
LOD was written mainly for new design, where the model leads and the building follows. In an existing building the building leads and the model follows, so the meaningful question shifts from level of detail to how closely the model tracks measured reality and how that is verified.
A practical existing-building brief therefore states two things: the LOD per element category, and the geometric tolerance against the point cloud. An element can be geometrically faithful and informationally empty, or richly attributed and geometrically idealised, and those are very different deliverables.
Choosing by intended use
Mixed LOD across categories is normal and usually the most cost-effective approach. Specify it per element category rather than applying one number to the whole model.
- Feasibility or space planning: LOD 200 architectural shell is usually sufficient.
- Renovation design and permit documentation: LOD 300 for architecture and structure in the affected areas.
- Mechanical or electrical retrofit coordination: LOD 350 for the systems being coordinated.
- Prefabricated elements or tight equipment fit: LOD 400 for those specific components only.
- Facility management handover: LOD 500 on assets and spaces, with attribute requirements defined by the FM system, not by geometry.
Common LOD mistakes
- Specifying LOD 400 for the entire building when only two components will be prefabricated.
- Requesting LOD 500 without defining which attributes the facility management system requires.
- Assuming high LOD implies high geometric accuracy, when the two are specified separately.
- Omitting tolerance from the brief, leaving the modeller to decide how closely to follow deviation.
- Applying a single LOD to every discipline regardless of what the project needs from each.
Key takeaways
- LOD describes reliability, not visual detail.
- For existing buildings, tolerance against the point cloud matters as much as LOD.
- Specify LOD per element category, not once for the whole model.
- LOD 300 covers most renovation design work; LOD 350 is for coordination.
- LOD 500 is only meaningful when the required attributes are defined.
- Over-specifying LOD is one of the most common sources of avoidable modelling cost.
Related services and areas
Frequently asked questions
What LOD do I need for a renovation project?+
LOD 300 for the architectural and structural elements in the affected areas is the usual answer, moving to LOD 350 where new systems must be coordinated with existing ones.
Is higher LOD always better?+
No. Higher LOD costs more and takes longer, and detail that no downstream process consumes adds nothing. The correct level is the lowest one that supports every decision the model must serve.
Does LOD guarantee accuracy?+
Not by itself. LOD describes how developed and reliable an element is; geometric accuracy against measured data is a separate specification, which is why an existing-building brief should state a tolerance as well.
Can different parts of my model have different LOD?+
Yes, and they usually should. Modelling the structural frame to a higher level than interior partitions is a common and sensible way to control cost.
What does LOD 500 require from me?+
A definition of the information you need attached to each asset, driven by the facility management or asset system that will consume it. Without that definition, LOD 500 cannot be delivered meaningfully.
Get a Quote for Your Project
Send us the building location, approximate square footage and required deliverables. We'll review the scope and get back to you.
Request a Quote