Adding a level in Revit means creating a new horizontal plane that represents a floor or story in your building model

A level in Revit is a reference plane that runs horizontally through your model. It anchors floors, walls, ceilings, and other elements to a specific height. When you add a level, you are telling Revit "this is where a floor exists" or "this is where a story begins." Levels are essential because they organize your model vertically and let you create floor plans at each height.

The fastest way to add a level is to open the Elevation view (not a 3D view), click the Level tool in the Datum panel, and draw a horizontal line at the height where you want the new level. Revit will automatically name it and add it to your project. You can rename it, adjust its height, and control which views it appears in.

Key Takeaways

  • Levels are drawn in Elevation view as horizontal lines, not in plan view or 3D.
  • The Level tool lives in the Datum panel on the Modify tab, or you can access it through the Architecture menu.
  • Each level you draw automatically creates a corresponding floor plan view that you can work in.
  • You can adjust a level's height after drawing it by dragging the level line or editing its Elevation property in the Properties panel.
  • Levels control which floor plans exist in your project and anchor elements like floors and walls to specific heights.

Opening the right view to draw a level

You must draw levels in an Elevation view, not in a plan view or 3D view. Open the Project Browser on the left side of your screen. Under Elevations, double-click any elevation (usually "Elevation - South" or similar). This opens a side view of your building where you can see height clearly.

If your project has no elevations yet, you can create one. Go to the View tab, click Elevation, and click in your model to place an elevation marker. Then double-click the elevation to open it. Once you are in an elevation view, you are ready to draw a level.

Drawing a level using the Level tool

With an elevation view open, go to the Modify tab and look for the Datum panel. Click the Level button (it looks like a horizontal line with a circle at each end). Your cursor will change to a crosshair.

Click at the height where you want the level to start, then click again to the right to draw a horizontal line. The line should span across your model. Revit will snap to common heights and grid points, so watch for blue snap indicators. Once you release, the level is created. Revit automatically names it "Level 2," "Level 3," and so on, based on how many levels already exist.

If you need to draw the level at an exact height, you can type the height value while drawing. After you click the first point, type the number and press Enter before clicking the second point.

Renaming a level after you create it

The default names "Level 1," "Level 2" are functional but often not descriptive. To rename a level, click on the level line itself in the elevation view. The Properties panel on the right will show its details. Look for the Name field near the top and change it to something like "Ground Floor," "Second Floor," or "Roof."

You can also rename a level by right-clicking on it in the Project Browser under Elevations, selecting Rename, and typing the new name. The new name will appear on the level line in all views and in all floor plan views tied to that level.

Adjusting a level's height

If you drew a level at the wrong height, you can move it. In the elevation view, click on the level line. A blue circle appears at each end. Drag the circle up or down to move the entire level to a new height. As you drag, Revit shows the new elevation value.

For precise adjustment, click the level line and look at the Properties panel. Find the Elevation field (usually near the bottom of the properties list) and type the exact height you want. Press Enter and the level moves to that height instantly. This method is more accurate than dragging by hand.

Understanding what happens when you add a level

When you create a new level, Revit automatically generates a floor plan view for that level. You will see it appear in the Project Browser under Floor Plans with the same name as your level. This floor plan is where you draw walls, place doors and windows, and design the layout at that height.

Elements like floors and walls can be anchored to a level, which means they stay at that height even if you move the level later. If you delete a level, Revit will warn you that elements are anchored to it and ask what you want to do. You can reassign them to a different level or delete them along with the level.

Controlling which views show each level

By default, a new level appears in all elevation views. If you want a level to show only in certain elevations, click the level line and check the Properties panel. Look for the View Range or Visibility settings depending on your Revit version. You can control which views display the level and its associated plan.

Most of the time you will want all levels visible in all elevations so you can see your building's full height. But in some cases—such as a detail elevation of one section—you might hide levels that are not relevant to that view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a level in plan view instead of elevation view?

No. Levels must be drawn in elevation view because they are horizontal planes and elevation view shows height. If you try to use the Level tool in plan view, it will not work. Always open an elevation first.

What if I draw a level at the wrong height and need to move it?

Click the level line in elevation view and drag the blue circle up or down, or use the Properties panel to enter an exact elevation value. Moving a level moves all elements anchored to it, so walls and floors stay at the correct height relative to the level.

Does Revit create a floor plan automatically when I add a level?

Yes. As soon as you finish drawing a level, Revit creates a floor plan view with the same name. You will see it in the Project Browser under Floor Plans. You can open it and start drawing on it right away.

Can I delete a level if I no longer need it?

Yes, but Revit will warn you if elements are anchored to that level. You can reassign those elements to a different level or delete them. Right-click the level in the Project Browser and select Delete, or select the level line in elevation and press Delete.

How do I make sure a level is at the exact same height as another level in a different part of the model?

Use the Elevation property in the Properties panel. Click each level and enter the same elevation value. This ensures they are at identical heights even if they are in different sections of your building or different elevation views.