How to count items on a floor plan (sockets, lights, doors)
Quick answer
Create a count condition per item type (sockets, lights, doors), then click each symbol on the plan to drop a numbered marker. The count totals live and the numbers make it easy to cross-check, then you export the quantities.
Counting repeated symbols — sockets, light fittings, doors, sprinkler heads — is fiddly and easy to get wrong on paper. Doing it on the PDF with numbered markers means you can see exactly what you've counted and never double up.
Here's a reliable method for counting any symbol on a plan.
Step by step
- 1
Open the plan (scale optional for counts)
Upload the PDF. Counting doesn't strictly need a scale — a count is just a tally — but set the scale anyway if you'll also measure lengths or areas on the sheet.
- 2
Make a count condition per item type
Create a condition like "Twin socket", "Downlight" or "FD30 door" for each symbol you're counting, and give each its own colour.
- 3
Click each symbol
With the count tool and the right condition active, click each instance on the plan. A numbered marker drops and the total ticks up, so you always know how many you've placed.
- 4
Work methodically
Sweep the plan in a consistent pattern (left-to-right, top-to-bottom) so you don't miss or repeat symbols. Zoom in on dense areas.
- 5
Switch conditions for the next item
Change the active condition and repeat for the next symbol type. Each type keeps its own colour and running total.
- 6
Export the counts
Export a CSV of the totals for your estimate, or an annotated PDF that shows every marker so someone can verify your count.
Tips & gotchas
- •One condition per symbol type keeps totals clean and colour-coded.
- •Numbered markers make it obvious where you're up to — handy if you get interrupted.
- •For very dense drawings, count in zoomed-in sections so you don't lose your place.
- •Right-click a marker to move it to a different condition if you mis-assigned it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I count sockets on a plan without miscounting?
Use numbered count markers: click each socket to drop a numbered pin into a "Socket" condition. The running total and the numbers on the plan make double-counting obvious.
Do I need to set a scale to count?
No — a count is a tally, so scale isn't required for counting. Set it only if you also need lengths or areas on the same sheet.
Can I count different item types at once?
Create a separate count condition per type (sockets, lights, doors); each keeps its own colour and total.
Is counting free?
Yes — the count tool is on Solid Takeoff's free plan, with export (watermarked on free).
Try it on your own plan — free
Open a PDF and measure in your browser. No card, no install, no CAD. Free plan forever.