LOD 100 vs LOD 200 vs LOD 300 vs LOD 400 vs LOD 500: BIM LOD Guide
Updated: Oct 6
LOD 100 vs LOD 200 vs LOD 300 vs LOD 400 vs LOD 500
LOD (Level of Development) defines how developed and reliable a BIM element is for a particular project use. LOD helps project teams understand what can reasonably be expected from a BIM model at different stages of design, documentation, fabrication, construction, and verification.
LOD should not be understood simply as the amount of visual detail in a 3D model. It also considers the reliability, accuracy, and intended use of the information represented by model elements.
LOD 100 vs LOD 200 vs LOD 300 vs LOD 400 vs LOD 500
LOD | Typical Purpose | Information / Development | Example |
LOD 100 | Concept | Conceptual representation; approximate size, location, and form | Building massing showing approximate building volume |
LOD 200 | Design Development | Generalized geometry and approximate information | Approximate wall, door, window, and equipment locations |
LOD 300 | Documentation | Defined geometry and information suitable for design documentation | Accurate walls, doors, windows, rooms, structural elements, and MEP systems |
LOD 400 | Fabrication | Detailed geometry and information suitable for fabrication and installation | Fabrication-level ductwork, piping, structural components, or assemblies |
LOD 500 | As-Built / Existing | Verified information representing actual installed or existing conditions | Field-verified equipment, dimensions, locations, and asset information |
Note: Specific LOD requirements should always be established by the project's BIM standards, BIM Execution Plan (BEP), contract requirements, and LOD specification. LOD definitions can vary by project and standard.
What Is LOD 100?
LOD 100 represents a conceptual level of development.
At this stage, the BIM model is primarily used to communicate the overall concept, scale, massing, and general project intent.
Typical Uses
Concept design
Feasibility studies
Early planning
Site and building massing
Preliminary visualization
Project Example
For a proposed multi-family residential building, an LOD 100 model may represent:
Approximate building footprint
Overall building mass
Approximate building height
General site arrangement
Conceptual building form
Individual wall assemblies, door types, MEP systems, and construction details would generally not be developed to documentation level at this stage.
What Is LOD 200?
LOD 200 represents generalized elements with approximate geometry and information.
The model is more developed than LOD 100 and can support design development and coordination at an appropriate level.
Typical Uses
Design development
Preliminary coordination
Space planning
Design review
Early quantity assessment
Project Example
For a commercial building, an LOD 200 model could include:
Generalized walls
Approximate floor assemblies
Approximate doors and windows
General equipment locations
Preliminary structural elements
Approximate MEP routes
The model provides more information about the proposed building but may not yet be suitable for final construction documentation.
What Is LOD 300?
LOD 300 represents defined geometry and information suitable for design documentation and coordination.
Elements are modeled with sufficient accuracy for their intended project use.
Typical Uses
Construction documentation
Detailed design
Design coordination
Model-based schedules
Quantity extraction where appropriate
Project Example
For a residential or commercial project, an LOD 300 model may include:
Accurately located walls
Defined doors and windows
Floor and roof assemblies
Building sections and elevations
Structural columns and beams
Defined MEP systems
Rooms and spaces
Equipment with appropriate project information
For example, an architectural wall can be modeled with its correct location, dimensions, type, and assembly information rather than simply representing a generic wall line.
LOD 300 is commonly associated with a design/documentation stage, but the exact required content should always be established by the project requirements.
What Is LOD 400?
LOD 400 represents detailed model elements suitable for fabrication and installation.
At this stage, model information can support contractors, fabricators, and installers where the project scope requires fabrication-level modeling.
Typical Uses
Fabrication
Shop drawing development
Installation planning
Detailed construction coordination
Manufacturing-related workflows
Project Example
For an MEP project, an LOD 400 model could include detailed:
Ductwork
Pipes
Fittings
Equipment connections
Supports
Installation components
For structural work, fabrication-level modeling may include detailed structural components and connections required for fabrication or installation.
LOD 400 is therefore significantly more detailed than a typical design-level model.
What Is LOD 500?
LOD 500 represents verified information about an existing or constructed condition.
Unlike earlier LOD stages, LOD 500 is not simply the next level of design development. It focuses on verification of actual conditions.
Typical Uses
As-built documentation
Existing-condition modeling
Facility management
Asset information
Building operation
Project Example
After construction of a commercial building, field verification can be used to confirm:
Actual equipment locations
Installed equipment
Final room layouts
Installed systems
Verified dimensions
Asset information
For an existing building, laser scanning and point-cloud data can support the development and verification of BIM information.
Important: LOD 500 should not automatically be interpreted as “more detailed than LOD 400.” Its primary distinction is that the information is verified against existing or constructed conditions.
LOD Comparison by Project Stage
A simplified way to understand the progression is:
LOD 100Concept → What could the building look like?
↓
LOD 200Design Development → What is generally being designed?
↓
LOD 300Documentation → What is the defined design?
↓
LOD 400Fabrication → How will it be fabricated and installed?
↓
LOD 500Verified / As-Built → What was actually constructed or exists?
This progression is useful for understanding BIM development, but actual project workflows may overlap and do not necessarily follow these stages as a strict linear sequence.
Why Is LOD Important in BIM?
Clearly defining LOD helps project teams establish expectations for model content and use.
It can help answer questions such as:
How accurately should an element be modeled?
What information should be included?
Can the model be used for documentation?
Can it support coordination?
Is it suitable for fabrication?
Has the information been field verified?
What should the client expect from the BIM deliverable?
LOD requirements should ideally be defined before modeling begins.
LOD and BIM Deliverables
LOD directly influences the type of BIM deliverable that can reasonably be produced.
For example:
Conceptual Design → LOD 100
May support massing and early design decisions.
Design Development → LOD 200
May support general design coordination and development.
Construction Documentation → LOD 300
May support coordinated drawings and schedules.
Fabrication → LOD 400
May support fabrication and installation workflows.
As-Built / Existing → LOD 500
May support verified asset and facility information.
However, LOD alone does not define every project deliverable. The BEP, contract requirements, model element requirements, project standards, and intended uses must also be considered.
Practical Example — Residential Building
Consider a multi-story residential building.
LOD 100 — Concept
The model shows the approximate building mass, floor arrangement, and overall form.
LOD 200 — Design Development
Walls, floors, doors, windows, structural elements, and major equipment are represented generally.
LOD 300 — Documentation
The building elements are accurately modeled to support coordinated plans, sections, elevations, schedules, and design documentation.
LOD 400 — Fabrication
Selected systems such as detailed MEP services or structural components are developed to fabrication and installation requirements.
LOD 500 — As-Built
After construction, relevant information is verified against actual installed conditions and incorporated into the final record model where required.
Common Misunderstanding About LOD
One of the most common misconceptions is:
“Higher LOD simply means more detailed geometry.”
That is not necessarily correct.
LOD is about the development and reliability of model information for a specific purpose.
For example, an LOD 500 element is not simply an LOD 400 element with more polygons. LOD 500 primarily communicates that information has been verified against actual conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About BIM LOD
What does LOD mean in BIM?
LOD means Level of Development and describes the development and reliability of BIM model elements for a particular project use.
What is LOD 100?
LOD 100 is a conceptual level used primarily for early design, massing, feasibility, and general project representation.
What is LOD 200?
LOD 200 represents generalized elements with approximate geometry and information, typically supporting design development and preliminary coordination.
What is LOD 300?
LOD 300 represents defined geometry and information suitable for design documentation and coordination based on project requirements.
What is LOD 400?
LOD 400 represents detailed elements suitable for fabrication and installation when required by the project.
What is LOD 500?
LOD 500 represents verified information about an existing or constructed condition.
Is LOD 500 more detailed than LOD 400?
Not necessarily. LOD 500 is distinguished primarily by verification of actual conditions, rather than simply increased geometric detail.
Which LOD is used for construction documents?
LOD 300 is commonly associated with design documentation, but the required LOD should always be confirmed against the project's BIM requirements and LOD specification.
SDC Studio provides BIM modeling and coordination services based on project-specific requirements, standards, and intended model uses.
Our BIM capabilities include:
Architectural BIM Modeling
Revit Modeling
Structural BIM Modeling
MEP BIM Modeling
BIM Coordination
Clash Detection
Construction Documentation
Scan-to-BIM
BIM Automation
We develop BIM models with the appropriate level of information and development required for each project stage, rather than adding unnecessary model detail.
Need BIM Modeling or Coordination Support?
📩 Contact SDC Studio to discuss your BIM modeling, LOD, coordination, documentation, or project-specific BIM requirements.
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