To add a level in Revit, open an elevation or section view, go to Architecture tab > Datum panel > Level, keep Make Plan View checked if you want a floor plan, then click two points to draw the new level line. You can also copy, array, or offset existing levels, but copied levels do not automatically create floor plan views.
Levels are horizontal datum planes used to control floors, ceilings, roofs, walls, and other level-based elements. In Revit 2026, the core workflow is still the same: create levels from an elevation or section view, then decide whether each level should also create plan views in the Project Browser.
Before You Add a Level
You must be in an elevation or section view to add levels. Levels are visible as horizontal datum lines in these views. You cannot draw a new level directly from a normal floor plan view.
- Use the Level tool when you want Revit to create the level and its plan views at the same time.
- Use Copy or Array when you need multiple level datum lines quickly.
- Use View > Plan Views when the level exists but the floor plan view is missing.
- Use 2D/3D extents and Propagate Extents when level bubbles or datum ends do not look consistent between views.
Method 1: Add a New Level in Revit
This is the best method for adding one normal story level because Revit can create the associated floor plan and reflected ceiling plan while you place the level.
Steps
- Open an elevation or section view from the Project Browser.
- Go to Architecture tab > Datum panel > Level. You can also use the shortcut LL.
- In the Options Bar, keep Make Plan View checked if you want Revit to create plan views for the new level.
- Click Plan View Types if you want to choose Floor Plan, Reflected Ceiling Plan, Structural Plan, or another available plan type.
- In the Draw panel, use Line to draw a level manually, or use Pick Lines with an offset value to place a level at a precise distance from an existing one.
- Click once to set the start point, move horizontally, then click again to place the level.
- Rename the level and set the elevation if needed.
Tip: Select an existing level and press CS for Create Similar. This reopens the Level tool with the same type, which is faster than returning to the ribbon.
Method 2: Add Multiple Levels with Copy or Array
Use Copy or Array when you need several levels with the same spacing, such as a multi-story building with repeated floor-to-floor heights. This is faster than placing every level manually, but it has one important limitation: copied or arrayed levels usually create datum lines only. They do not automatically create new floor plan views.
Add Multiple Levels with Array
- Select an existing level in an elevation or section view.
- Go to Modify | Levels tab > Modify panel > Array, or press AR.
- In the Options Bar, enter the number of levels you want to create.
- Click the selected level, move your cursor vertically to set the first spacing, and click again.
- Check the new level names and elevations, then rename them if needed.
You can also use Copy instead of Array if the spacing is not repeated. For precise repeated spacing, Array or Pick Lines with Offset is usually cleaner.
Create a Floor Plan From an Existing Level
If you copied a level and cannot find it in the Project Browser, the level probably exists only as a datum. You need to create a plan view for it.
- Go to View tab > Create panel > Plan Views.
- Click Floor Plan.
- In the New Floor Plan dialog, choose the view type if needed.
- Select one or more levels that need floor plan views.
- Click OK.
If you need another plan view for a level that already has one, clear Do not duplicate existing views. Revit will create a duplicate plan view and show it in the Project Browser with a numbered name.
Why Some Revit Level Heads Are Black and Others Are Blue
A blue level head means the level has an associated plan view. A black level head means the level is only a datum and does not currently have an associated plan view.
Double-clicking a blue level head opens the related plan view. A black level head will not open a plan view because there is no view to open yet. To turn a black level head blue, create a floor plan or ceiling plan from that level using View > Plan Views.
This is why the Level tool is better for normal story levels, while Copy and Array are better for reference levels or fast datum layout. If you use Copy or Array for actual floors, remember to create the plan views afterward.
Edit Level Name, Elevation, and Bubbles
After creating levels, you can rename them, change their elevations, adjust bubble placement, and control how their extents appear in different views.
Change the Name or Elevation
- Double-click the level name or elevation value.
- Enter the new name or height.
- Press Enter.
- If Revit asks whether to rename corresponding views, choose Yes when you want the floor plan names to stay consistent with the level name.
Move One Level Bubble Without Moving All Others
- Select the level line.
- Click the lock icon near the level bubble if the level is aligned with other levels.
- Drag the grip at the end of the level line to reposition it.
Add an Elbow to the Level Bubble
- Select the level.
- Click the elbow control near the bubble.
- Drag the blue grips to reposition the bubble and make overlapping level names readable.
Show Level Head Symbols at Both Ends
To show a level head symbol at both ends for one level, select the level and use the checkbox near the bubble. To apply this to all levels of the same type, select a level, go to Properties > Edit Type, then enable Symbol at End 1 Default or Symbol at End 2 Default as needed.
Use 2D Extents, 3D Extents, and Propagate Extents
Level extents control how far the level datum line displays in a view. This matters when level lines overlap the model, disappear from some views, or look different between elevations.
- 3D extents affect the datum position and visibility across the model.
- 2D extents affect only the current view.
- Propagate Extents copies the same 2D datum appearance to other parallel views.
- Select one or more levels. Hold Ctrl to select multiple levels.
- If you only want to adjust the current view, switch the datum end to 2D before moving it.
- Go to Modify | Levels tab > Datum panel > Propagate Extents.
- Select the parallel views that should match the current level extents.
- Click OK.
If Propagate Extents does not work, check whether the target view is parallel, whether crop regions or scope boxes are controlling the datum, and whether the datum extents intersect the view plane. You may also need to review view crop settings.
Troubleshooting Revit Levels
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Level is not in the Project Browser | A level datum exists, but no plan view was created. | Go to View > Plan Views > Floor Plan and select the level. |
| Level head is black | The level has no associated plan view. | Create a floor plan or ceiling plan for that level. |
| Copied level did not create a floor plan | Copy and Array duplicate the datum, not the associated views. | Use the Level tool with Make Plan View checked, or create the view manually. |
| Level does not show in another view | Datum extents, crop region, or scope box may hide it. | Check 2D/3D extents, crop settings, and scope box assignment. |
| Level bubbles overlap | Level names or elevations are too close together. | Use the elbow control and drag the bubble grips. |
FAQ
How do I add a level in Revit?
Open an elevation or section view, go to Architecture > Datum > Level, keep Make Plan View checked if needed, then click two points to draw the level line.
How do I create a floor plan from an existing level?
Go to View > Plan Views > Floor Plan, select the level in the New Floor Plan dialog, and click OK.
Why is my Revit level black instead of blue?
A black level head means there is no associated plan view. Create a floor plan or reflected ceiling plan for the level to associate it with a view.
Can I add levels from a floor plan view?
No. Revit levels are added from an elevation or section view because levels are vertical datum references in the model.
Should I use Copy, Array, or the Level tool?
Use the Level tool for normal story levels with plan views. Use Copy or Array for fast repeated datum placement, then create the missing plan views manually if those levels need them.
Related Revit Tutorials
- 4 Ways to Create Array in Revit
- How to Set Up the Project Browser in Revit
- Change the Associated Level in Revit
- How to Use Scope Box in Revit
Mohamed Fakhry has helped thousands of architects and designers find their next project with step-by-step guidance on his blog, mashyo.com. About Mohamed
His journey began during his university years when he recognized the need for information-rich 3D models to accelerate learning and improve production processes. Now, Mohamed shares his expertise through Revit tutorials that are accessible to all.
