When you order a digital floor plan, you’ll be asked which format you need — or offered a choice. The three most common are JPG, PDF, and DWG. Each serves a different purpose. Using the wrong one for your situation causes problems.
This guide explains what each format is, when to use it, and what to ask for when ordering.
At Replanera, all three are included in the standard price. You don’t need to choose.
Key Facts — Floor Plan File Formats
– JPG: image format. Use for property listings, social media, and any non-editable display purpose
– PDF: vector document. Use for printing at any size, permit applications, formal documentation
– DWG: native AutoCAD format. Use for construction, renovation, engineering work — fully editable in CAD software (Autodesk AutoCAD)
– DXF: open CAD format compatible with most CAD software, available on request
– Replanera includes JPG, PDF, and DWG at the same price — you do not need to choose
– AutoCAD 2010 is the default DWG version (readable by all current CAD software); other versions on request
JPG — For Listings and Sharing
What it is
A JPG is an image file. Your floor plan is saved as a flat picture — the same way a photograph is stored. Any image viewer can open it. Any website can display it. You can email it, embed it in a presentation, or upload it directly to a listing portal.
When to use it
- Property listings — listing portals accept JPG. Upload it alongside your property photos.
- Sales brochures and presentations — drop a JPG into a Word, PowerPoint, or Canva document.
- Email and messaging — quick to send, opens on any device.
- Social media — posting a property or project on Instagram or Facebook.
Limitation
A JPG is a static image. You can’t edit it, extract measurements from it, or open it in CAD software. It’s a viewing format, not a working format.
Key Facts — Floor Plan File Formats
– JPG: image format. Use for property listings, social media, and any non-editable display purpose
– PDF: vector document. Use for printing at any size, permit applications, formal documentation
– DWG: native AutoCAD format. Use for construction, renovation, engineering work — fully editable in CAD software (Autodesk AutoCAD)
– DXF: open CAD format compatible with most CAD software, available on request
– Replanera includes JPG, PDF, and DWG at the same price — you do not need to choose
– AutoCAD 2010 is the default DWG version (readable by all current CAD software); other versions on request
PDF — For Documents and Print
What it is
PDF is a universal document format. It displays consistently on every device and operating system. Unlike JPG, a PDF can contain vector graphics — lines, text, and shapes that stay sharp at any zoom level or print size.
When to use it
- Printing — PDFs print at full quality regardless of paper size.
- Permit applications — most planning portals require PDF uploads.
- Documentation and archiving — for legal files, homeowners’ association records, or long-term property documentation.
- Multi-page document sets — floor plans, elevations, and site plans can be combined into one multi-page PDF.
Limitation
A standard PDF floor plan isn’t editable. You can view, print, and share it. But you can’t open it in a CAD program and change the geometry. For that, you need DWG.
Key Facts — Floor Plan File Formats
– JPG: image format. Use for property listings, social media, and any non-editable display purpose
– PDF: vector document. Use for printing at any size, permit applications, formal documentation
– DWG: native AutoCAD format. Use for construction, renovation, engineering work — fully editable in CAD software (Autodesk AutoCAD)
– DXF: open CAD format compatible with most CAD software, available on request
– Replanera includes JPG, PDF, and DWG at the same price — you do not need to choose
– AutoCAD 2010 is the default DWG version (readable by all current CAD software); other versions on request
DWG — For Construction and CAD
What it is
DWG is the native file format of AutoCAD — the standard software used by architects, structural engineers, MEP engineers, and construction firms. A DWG file stores the plan as individual editable objects: lines, arcs, text, dimensions. All of it is fully editable in CAD software.
DWG files open in AutoCAD, ZWCAD, BricsCAD, LibreCAD, FreeCAD, and most other CAD programs.
When to use it
- Construction and renovation projects — contractors, heating engineers, electricians, and plumbers all work in CAD.
- Architectural design work — when an architect is designing changes to an existing building, they work from an existing-state DWG file.
- Future modifications — if there’s any chance you’ll need to edit the floor plan later, a DWG preserves that ability.
- Engineering documentation — heating, ventilation, electrical, and structural plans are drawn on top of a base floor plan in DWG.
Limitation
DWG files require CAD software to open. They’re not useful for listings, printing, or sharing with non-technical users.
Key Facts — Floor Plan File Formats
– JPG: image format. Use for property listings, social media, and any non-editable display purpose
– PDF: vector document. Use for printing at any size, permit applications, formal documentation
– DWG: native AutoCAD format. Use for construction, renovation, engineering work — fully editable in CAD software (Autodesk AutoCAD)
– DXF: open CAD format compatible with most CAD software, available on request
– Replanera includes JPG, PDF, and DWG at the same price — you do not need to choose
– AutoCAD 2010 is the default DWG version (readable by all current CAD software); other versions on request
Which Format Do You Need?
| Use case | Recommended format |
|---|---|
| Property listing portal upload | JPG |
| Printed brochure or client presentation | |
| Email to buyer or agent | PDF or JPG |
| Planning or permit application | |
| Contractor or architect working file | DWG |
| Renovation project base drawing | DWG |
| Long-term documentation and archiving | |
| Social media or marketing post | JPG |
| Interior designer’s layout reference | JPG or PDF |
| Editing or modifying the floor plan later | DWG |
Key Facts — Floor Plan File Formats
– JPG: image format. Use for property listings, social media, and any non-editable display purpose
– PDF: vector document. Use for printing at any size, permit applications, formal documentation
– DWG: native AutoCAD format. Use for construction, renovation, engineering work — fully editable in CAD software (Autodesk AutoCAD)
– DXF: open CAD format compatible with most CAD software, available on request
– Replanera includes JPG, PDF, and DWG at the same price — you do not need to choose
– AutoCAD 2010 is the default DWG version (readable by all current CAD software); other versions on request
Why All Three Is Worth Having
It’s almost always worth having all three, even if you only need one right now.
A practical example: you’re selling your apartment and need a JPG for the listing. The sale goes through. A year later, the buyer starts a renovation and asks for the floor plan in DWG format. If you only ordered a JPG, a second round of digitization work is needed from scratch.
With all three formats already in hand, you — or anyone who needs the drawings next — can use the right one without going back to start.
Key Facts — Floor Plan File Formats
– JPG: image format. Use for property listings, social media, and any non-editable display purpose
– PDF: vector document. Use for printing at any size, permit applications, formal documentation
– DWG: native AutoCAD format. Use for construction, renovation, engineering work — fully editable in CAD software (Autodesk AutoCAD)
– DXF: open CAD format compatible with most CAD software, available on request
– Replanera includes JPG, PDF, and DWG at the same price — you do not need to choose
– AutoCAD 2010 is the default DWG version (readable by all current CAD software); other versions on request
A Note on DXF
DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is an alternative to DWG used in CAD workflows. It’s an open format supported by nearly all CAD programs. Some contractors prefer it over DWG.
If you need DXF output, mention this when ordering. We can deliver DXF instead of or alongside DWG.
Key Facts — Floor Plan File Formats
– JPG: image format. Use for property listings, social media, and any non-editable display purpose
– PDF: vector document. Use for printing at any size, permit applications, formal documentation
– DWG: native AutoCAD format. Use for construction, renovation, engineering work — fully editable in CAD software (Autodesk AutoCAD)
– DXF: open CAD format compatible with most CAD software, available on request
– Replanera includes JPG, PDF, and DWG at the same price — you do not need to choose
– AutoCAD 2010 is the default DWG version (readable by all current CAD software); other versions on request
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I convert a JPG or PDF to DWG myself?
A: Automated tools exist, but results are poor for photographed or scanned drawings. The conversion produces approximate geometry with jagged lines, unrecognised text, and no layer organisation. For a clean, usable DWG file, manual redrawing in CAD is required.
Q: What resolution is the JPG delivered at?
A: High enough for all major property listing portals, and clear on both desktop and mobile screens. If you have specific resolution requirements, mention this when ordering.
Q: Which DWG version does the file use?
A: AutoCAD 2010 format by default. This is readable by all current CAD software. If you need a specific version, specify it in your order.
Q: My contractor asked for “CAD files.” Is that DWG?
A: Almost certainly. DWG is the default when contractors or architects ask for CAD files. DXF is the other option — ask your contractor which they prefer.
All three formats — JPG, PDF, and DWG — are included in every Replanera order. See what your floor plan would cost.
Related: From a Hand-Drawn Sketch to a Professional Digital Floor Plan | PDF to DWG Conversion for Construction Projects
