Dimensioning and tolerancing must be fully specified so there is a complete understanding of every feature's requirements.

A rectangular box that serves as the primary "sentence" for GD&T. It contains the geometric symbol, the tolerance value, material modifiers (like MMC or LMC ), and datum references.

Controls the physical placement of features relative to each other or a datum. Profile of a Surface, Profile of a Line Controls the boundary of a feature's outline. Runout Circular Runout, Total Runout Controls variation in a surface when rotated about an axis. Building Blocks of the Language

Modifiers like Maximum Material Condition (MMC) allow for "bonus tolerance" as the part’s actual size deviates from its limit, providing flexibility for manufacturing without sacrificing assembly. Y14.5M-1994 - Dimensioning and Tolerancing - ANSI Webstore

Drawings should define the final part geometry without dictating the specific manufacturing processes (e.g., drilling vs. punching) used to achieve it. Standard Reference Temperature: All dimensions apply at 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F ( 20∘C20 raised to the composed with power cap C ) unless noted otherwise.

Controls the shape of a feature regardless of its location or orientation. Parallelism, Perpendicularity, Angularity Controls the rotation of a feature relative to a datum. Location Position, Concentricity, Symmetry

The standard relies on several fundamental rules that guide how dimensions and tolerances are applied: