How To Create a Floor Plan with SketchUp Free (7 EASY Steps)

Want to create a floor plan with SketchUp Free? This SketchUp tutorial walks you through the process in 7 easy steps. Along the way, you’ll learn the right way to use many of SketchUp’s tools and features as well as how to avoid common mistakes. Here's what we cover:
Introduction (00:00)
1⃣ Get SketchUp Free Setup for 2D (1:13)
2⃣ Draw The Floor (01:59)
3⃣ Draw The Exterior Walls (04:30)
4⃣ Draw The Interior Walls (07:00)
5⃣ Add The Windows & Doors (08:53)
6⃣ Import Furniture & Fixtures (13:01)
7⃣ Style The Plan for Presentation (15:50)
Next Steps (17:40​)
And we created some notes, to help you remember everything: sketchup.school/7il
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“Your structure for presenting retainable information is remarkable. Thank you from all of us learning.” Jacob Howse 😀
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DID YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN THIS VIDEO?
Do us a favor, and tell us your favorite tip in the comments.
And make sure to 👍 and subscribe.
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“It's a pleasure to watch a well structured, professionally presented and succinct video. Many thanks!” deldridg 😃
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What next?
If you're thinking about building out your floor plan in 3D, check out this video: • How to Model a House i...
And if you're not sure whether you should be using SketchUp Free or one of the paid versions, check out this video that compares all the different versions: • SketchUp Free vs Paid ...
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“Your teaching methods are fantastic and I only wish I had started learning SketchUp the right way sooner.” Ron Paulk 😀
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Check out our guide: SketchUp - The Definitive Guide to Getting Started (www.sketchupschool.com/sketch...)
#sketchup #sketchuptutorial #sketchupfree

[@SketchUpSchool]

*DID YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN THIS VIDEO?* 😀 Do us a quick favor, and tell us your favorite tip in the comments, or just let us know you liked the video by giving it a like 👍 And, if there's anything you’d like to see us cover in a future video, leave a comment and let us know!

[@foiled6144]

You did not leave a link to the pro version of this video in the comments

[@beckycottreau3340]

I'm just starting to learn SketchUp. I was an old-school architectural draftsman from the eighties and, although I'm fluent with technology, I never had the opportunity to learn a CAD program. Your videos are easy to follow and informative, getting right to the point of what I need to know! Thank you!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@shufflemcr]

I had to re-watch most parts of this, but I finally made my floor plan. Thank you!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@SaadFakhoury]

This video is so valuable and will help me a lot in studying SketchUp. Special thanks from Lebanon (an Arabic country in the Middle East) 17-02-2022

[@The-Blue-Ghost-Plant-Co.]

If I could give these guys multiple likes to help their video out more I would. Thank y'all so much for providing such wonderful products for free! Where there's a will there's a way 🧡

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome!

[@mongolesen]

I agree this is perfect

[@andrewb9024]

I've been building homes for 15 years and want to start getting in to designing. This video has been extremely helpful 👏. It seems like Sketchup is a much more user friendly software system than AutoCAD or any other CAD software.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad it was helpful!

[@valikovaliko2141]

Just brilliant!!! thanks a lot for clear way of your explanation)

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome! 😊

[@21nasrulmuhammad40]

U made it simple man ur subscribers are well deserved

[@joshuasmith1215]

You are the man for making this video. It's so useful in learning Sketchup Free.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad the video has been helpful!

[@stellacharlespedersen5995]

I have learnt a lot just by watching your videos. Thank you so much for this great content. 👏🏼

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@damienmasselis2080]

These videos are the best tutorials ever!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you like them!

[@mose6528]

Thank you for creating tNice tutorials playlist in soft soft, just starting out in soft production and there is so much to learn

[@manny2759]

The way you explain and teaching is great 👍 I want to learn virtual staging (furniture placing) for my Realtor wife. I have Sketchup pro but can’t find good videos explaining proper steps. Would like your advice. Thanks 🙏

[@SketchUpSchool]

For advice, please send us a message at [e-mail] and we'll try to help!

[@giovannap5553]

Really love & appreciate all your videos. I have watched several as I am a beginner. I have the MAC Pro 2022 version. My tool bars seem to be different, also tagging & assigning tag to particular group is not the same as shown here. Do you have a video for the version I am using, or able to provide instruction for this version? Thank you in advance!

[@SketchUpSchool]

This video covers the process for SketchUp Free. Are you using SketchUp Pro? If that's the case, then we have a video that covers the process for SketchUp Pro that you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXubhqegf8yjh9k

[@filipdemeyst8842]

Thank you very much!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@mwanjetommore1181]

thanks so much

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@maramagni7113]

wp man thank you!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@starbean1508]

I am doing it too . nice and easy

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad it's going easy for you!

[@majorgear1021]

I'm using Sketchup 2017 to plan my basement home gym. I really just need the 2d floor layout , and then to add objects that represent gym equipment ( functional trainer, power rack, bench,) so that I can play around with different positions and orientations to see which configuration will work the best for my space. I only care about interior walls. Is Sketchup a good application for this use case?

[@SketchUpSchool]

Yep, you can definitely use SketchUp to plan your basement home gym.

[@emilyrivera628]

Is there a way to save and print the floor plan to scale (1/4" = 1') in Sketchup free? Or is this one of the limitations of this version?

[@SketchUpSchool]

Yes, you can print to scale using SketchUp Free. To do that, click on the menu icon in the upper left (three horizontal lines) and pick "Print". Then on the next screen, under Print Mode, drop down the menu and pick Print to Scale. From there, you can set up your scale and then choose Print to PDF.

[@emilyrivera628]

I tried this, and it says I have to upgrade to use this function, unfortunately.

[@shoaibmugal2314]

Bro which grafics card is best for rendering in tight budget with good performance

[@SketchUpSchool]

Here is a great website comparing GPU performance with price to try to help you find the best value graphics card: www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_value.html

[@ZenDreaming60]

Thinking about purchasing this but have yet to see where the wall/door/window displays any measurements on the actual file! Hard to actually build a house if you can’t see any measurements! Does anyone know of a video where they show this?

[@SketchUpSchool]

In SketchUp Free, you can use the Dimension tool to add the type of information you are looking for. However, because you are working in 3D space, it's harder to control the exact look of the information. Folks who want to create more professional looking construction documents with the kinds of information you're looking for will typically use SketchUp Pro together with the bundled application LayOut. LayOut is where you add all of the types of annotation that you're looking for. You can check out our LayOut video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXmcgGuZd8uEhbs

[@themapisnottheterritory]

yeah buddy!

[@SketchUpSchool]

😊

[@TopGunMan]

Is there any way to manually set lengths after drawing, like Smart Dimensioning in SolidWorks?

[@SketchUpSchool]

You can enter dimensions after drawing to specify things after the fact. If you need more help in figuring out how to do that, please send an email to [e-mail] and an instructor will try to help.

[@TopGunMan]

@@SketchUpSchool Right but I don't think you can change the actual drawing by editing the dimension, correct? I tried SketchUp and it seemed very difficult to set, for instance, a wall length after it had been already drawn.

[@lindamartinez6529]

Where is the link you alluded to for SketchUp for Interior Design? I don't see it, although it may be hiding in plain sight. :-) PS love the tutorials.

[@SketchUpSchool]

On our website we offer a Video Course Library and inside it we have a SketchUp for Interior Design course (along with other courses). You can learn more about the Video Course Library and sign-up to watch any of the courses - including the Interior Design course - here: www.sketchupschool.com/video-course-library Or if you were just looking for more Interior Design related tutorials here on KZbin, we made this playlist that has related videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rF7bdHeXlNGgi7M

[@thomaseandrako2239]

A question. When I open Sketchup Free I din't get the top line that you show on your videos that shows tools,window etc, Is something wrong with my downloaded version of Sketchup Free?

[@SketchUpSchool]

If you have downloaded SketchUp, then you are using something other than SketchUp Free... SketchUp Free is used in a web browser by going to this link: app.sketchup.com/app?hl=en If you see Tools, Window, etc. across the top, then you have probably downloaded and are using SketchUp Pro. I am not sure where you see Tools, Window, etc. across the top of our screen in this video? Maybe in a brief moment where we tell you about SketchUp Pro, but for almost all of the video we show SketchUp Free and don't have Tools, Window, etc. across the top of our screen.

[@t-love8751]

When I try to enter an imperial dimension I can only do so in feet. As soon as I press shift to put “ the numbers I’ve entered disappear and are replaced with the length of my line. Is it because I’m using a magic keyboard on my Mac?

[@SketchUpSchool]

No need to press the Shift key. Just type 6'6" and press enter and you will have 6 feet 6 inches (or type whatever the measurements are that you need)

[@t-love8751]

@@SketchUpSchool thanks for the answer, buuuuut I’m not sure how to type the “ symbol without holding the shift key as it is on the same key as ‘ …Does that make sense? Lol

[@michaels3003]

​@@t-love8751, for anybody who may read this question: there is no need to enter " after the number of inches (because inch is the default unit).

[@denzu19]

Beginner question.. How to add text on a 2d floorplan? I tried the text function but it does not stay in place when zooming out/in. Is there a way to make it still? Thank you!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You would need to use LayOut which is the 2D annotation and documentation tool that is included with SketchUp Pro. (There isn't a similar option for SketchUp Free).

[@kerrybarneyiii1202]

Unless you still have the free ‘demo’ version from 2017, then you can still use both *and* use them offline 😁

[@KruiserKrawler]

working great up until the offset tool... which my free version does not have. Don't know if they changed the free version???

[@SketchUpSchool]

There is an Offset tool in the free version. Click on the three dots on the bottom left of the toolbar to find its new location.

[@TingThaiLeong]

Do you have a tutorial to convert 2D floor plan to 3D using the free version? Thanks

[@SketchUpSchool]

We only have that type of video using the Pro version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGO9qZima9yogck (perhaps you can still follow along and just translate where the user interface differs?)

[@maryrobbins3314]

I'm not able to enter the dimensions manually like you show in the video. Did SketchUp recently make that unavailable for the free version?

[@SketchUpSchool]

It's still something that's possible with the Free version. If you continue to have trouble, send us a message at [e-mail] and and instructor will be happy to help.

[@learnshare7255]

Do you have paid online classes available?? Im really interested to take it.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Yes, we have full video courses for professionals. You can learn more and sign up here: www.sketchupschool.com/video-course-library

[@IIIofV]

I started sketchup free, but it wont let me enter any measurements or dimentions unless I pay to upgrade. I'm confused. You do it in your video - did they disable that function in the free version now?

[@SketchUpSchool]

Hi, SketchUp Free still allows you to enter measurements and dimensions, so I'm not sure what is going wrong for you. The best thing for you to do is send this message to [e-mail] and an instructor will try to help.

[@sambabassesoumare1168]

🙃🙃🙃interest think's😊😊😊

[@SketchUpSchool]

😀

[@steph3694]

Hi, will the floorplan be to scale?

[@SketchUpSchool]

Yes, in SketchUp you draw at a 1:1 scale. But then if you need to export your drawing at a specific scale, it would be best to use SketchUp Pro which comes with LayOut - that's the application that allows you to set drawing scales.

[@Michaelharringtondesign]

The link to the notes for this video appears to be broken. I keep getting a DropBox Error page when I click the link for the PDF on the web page that opens.

[@SketchUpSchool]

I just tested the link and it worked for me. Try this one to see if it works for you: sketchup.school/2xx

[@SuzanneWho]

Can sketchup free be used on an iPad? You mention using a mouse but no mouse on iPad. Thanks

[@SketchUpSchool]

There is a SketchUp for iPad app that you can download from the App Store. There, SketchUp is designed to work best with an Apple Pencil. But you can also use your finger/hand if you don't have an Apple Pencil.

[@SuzanneWho]

@@SketchUpSchool is it also free for the iPad?

[@PiPiTheLabra]

​@@SuzanneWhono, I downloaded, it's 7 day trial and then paid.

[@benabel]

Can a plan started in SketchUp free, be easily imported into SketchUp pro?

[@SketchUpSchool]

Yes, you can bring your files from SketchUp Free into SketchUp Pro.

[@luceedee]

Overall I'm finding this so useful but I'm really struggling with the eraser tool. I'm trying erase one side of the rectangle drawn to make the exterior doorways, but my eraser tool looks different. It isn't pink, and seems to behave differently to yours in the video? I'm really struggling to erase the right part. Can anybody help?

[@luceedee]

also my tape measure tool doesnt seem to produce guidelines in the same way...

[@SketchUpSchool]

Some of the icons have changed recently and that may be part of your issue with the Eraser tool. The best option would be to send this message to [e-mail] (about both the Eraser and Tape Measure tool issues) and an instructor will try to help.

[@jkm1611]

how do you even get to the screen?

[@SketchUpSchool]

Please send a message to [e-mail] and an instructor will help.

[@vicnicdan3]

I am so frustrated. My measurements I want to create will not fit. I'm starting with the top scene, I use the drawing tool but with the axes lines in the middle I cannot get 24' x 25' room to fit. Watching the first video helped alot. What am i missing?

[@SketchUpSchool]

Please send this message to [e-mail] and an instructor will be happy to try to help.

[@michaels3003]

If you are working in a quadrant of the pane (as opposed to drawing around the origin point), you need to use the pan function to move the origin towards the upper left corner of your screen. You also need to set the proper zoom ratio to see the whole floorplan.

[@starbean1508]

Hello Star Bean Here.

[@EvelinPetersson]

somthing that dosent work tho is in the first steps, that you can type the length...

[@SketchUpSchool]

Hard to troubleshoot here via KZbin comments. Can you please send us a message at [e-mail] so we can try to help you troubleshoot?

[@juanreyes2284]

alex enviame sketchUp free para aprender a usarlo

[@SketchUpSchool]

You can access SketchUp Free here: app.sketchup.com/app?hl=en

[@bradeinarsen]

When I use the tape measure tool as described I don't get a guideline... hmmmm

[@bradeinarsen]

AHA I was on a line... not on an open space... getting there...

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you were able to figure that one out!

[@jeannotnelson4048]

it must not be done on the wall but exactly as he shows

[@gothickah0]

I miss the old sketchup free

[@gabrielajimenez8131]

Display panel is not showing up

[@SketchUpSchool]

Please send your issue to [e-mail] and an instructor will be happy to help.

[@conniesjourney8985]

Where the heck is the group tool? - you flew by that so fast... my 2023 free version is a bit different from the free version you are using. I have looked through every choice on the board and cannot find the group tool?

[@SketchUpSchool]

There's not a group tool. Instead, you select the things you want to group, then right click on the selection and pick the option for Make Group.

[@johnchurchill572]

GROUP...BUT JUST HOW...this is where this falls down

[@SketchUpSchool]

If you are having trouble trying to create a Group, please send a message to [e-mail] and an instructor will be happy to try to help.

[@IrfanAKhan-ee4nr]

Is this program free?

[@SketchUpSchool]

SketchUp Free is free!

[@IrfanAKhan-ee4nr]

Thank you so much for your reply.

[@user-bp1ns4tj8y]

RELAY THANKS ALL EX

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@Michaelharringtondesign]

"Flip Along" is gone these days. What's the alternative?

[@SketchUpSchool]

There is now the Flip tool - click on the three dots on the bottom of the left toolbar to find it. So the steps are: Select the thing you want to flip, then pick the Flip tool, then click on the colored plane (red, green or blue) to flip the selection about that axis direction.

[@richaries9387]

where is the free version all i see is the 7 day free then pay

[@SketchUpSchool]

You can access the free version as a web-app here: app.sketchup.com/app?hl=en

[@neoalley]

So you can't annotate in SketchUp free??? I can't use this then. All that work and can't hand over to the contractor.

[@michaels3003]

Was the contractor building the structure for you for free?

[@ivanemmanuel2810]

Home made cod oil

[@giovannap5553]

creating interior walls is a little confusing

[@SketchUpSchool]

If you need more help, feel free to email us at [e-mail] and an instructor will reply with guidance.

[@giovannap5553]

@@SketchUpSchool awesome! thanks so much!

[@Tim_Gravy]

Not letting me enter in my lenght of the line i make... God i miss smartdraw... This shit is crap

[@SketchUpSchool]

Please send this message to [e-mail] and an instructor will try to help

[@garystanullwich5574]

APPARENTLY, SKETCUP IS GOING "DOWN THE TUBES". I USED TO BE ABLE TO CREATE CUSTOM FURNITURE, WINDOWS, ETC. NOW, WHEN I DOWNOADED SKETCHUP, I NOTICE I CAN ONLY CREATE FLOOR PLANS ! AND......I'M GOING TO BE PAYING $300/YEAR TO CREATE FLOOR PLANS ???????? THERE'S A LOT OF CHEAPER (IF NOT FOR FREE) SOFTWARE THAT CAN DO THAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You can create more than floor plans in SketchUp. You can draw pretty much anything you can imagine, from furniture to windows to pretty much anything else.

[@ginocastro5107]

A little too fast! You know what you are doing... so you can do this in your sleep! Appreciate the knowledge, but it's a tutorial filled with adrenaline! Not for the beginner I'm afraid!!

[@SketchUpSchool]

One idea: You can either set the speed of the video playback to be a little slower, or you can pause after key steps so you have time to follow along and digest.

[@tamaldas381]

Yeah I give up, not even gonna bother trying to learn tNice tutorials lol

[@Archidit]

Definitely not intuitive and smart. The results are a bunch of 2D lines and u still need to build a 3D model! Use sofware that provides 2D+3D both simultaneously!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Yes, in SketchUp many people will build the 3D model and create the 2D plans from that model later. But for others, they only want to start with a 2D plan - this video helps with that process.

[@Archidit]

@@SketchUpSchool Sketchup is not the ideal software to achieve this. But u know that already

[@hassane2]

Dude, if you are smart, have plenty of software and know it all, pass your way, please! And never come back!

[@viky2002]

Sketchup for 3d, layout for 2d from sketchup 3d. 1 model for conceptual to construction drawing.

[@eppiox]

Shame it's not free, if they're willing to lie about that wonder what else the software does.

[@SketchUpSchool]

SketchUp Free is free. Was there another version of the software that you were referring to?

[@Loyee2000]

For example, the Offset tool is one of those which is NOT available on my free version (prompt to upgrade!). So this is not 100% accurate and helpful. Overall is just OK!

[@SketchUpSchool]

The Offset tool is available in SketchUp Free. You have to click on the Push Pull tool in order to see the other related tools appear (the Offset tool is one of them)

[@Loyee2000]

@@SketchUpSchool Thanks for reply.👍

[@Mike1962nz]

Tool layout can be different. I found the missing tools in the … section near the bottom of the menu list.

[@imaginatorproductions]

@@Mike1962nzit’s easier to search them, that’s what I do

[@KatSchlitz]

This is not helpful enough. You zoom past each step so fast, when it does not behave the same way for us it is worthless. My view when I stop the frame to see what icon you pressed for overhead view, it seems askew, and panning around I cannot tell what is up. Then when I draw a line and enter a measurement, after pressing enter the line disappears. Then when I try to draw the next line, it does not show. A slower more detailed presentation would help. I have years ago used the pro version and always got it to work, but at the moment the free version feels incredibly clunky which does not give me faith in the newer pro version. Not a great video, it does not start from step 1 for newer users of later versions of this program.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Sorry to hear that this video didn't work well for you. Please send this message to [e-mail] and an instructor will be happy to try to help you.

[@simonvaughan6596]

please please please take out the sound effects - they are not helping

[@azharm9503]

there is no TAGS on my free sketchup dude

[@SketchUpSchool]

On the right hand side of your screen, there is a toolbar. In the middle, there is a tag icon. If you click on it, you'll find the Tags feature.

[@azharm9503]

@@SketchUpSchool my toolbars are all on the top, nothing on the side. And tq for replying