When you need to check or control an angle in SOLIDWORKS, there are a few different tools you can use. The best method depends on whether you want a quick check, a precise inspection measurement, or a driving dimension that controls your model.

In this article we’ll look at three common ways to measure angles in SOLIDWORKS:

1. Using Smart Dimension – adds an angular dimension that can drive or control your geometry.
2. Direct measurement – a super-fast way to read an angle from the Status Bar.
3. Using the Measure tool – the most flexible option for inspecting angles, distances and radii.

All three methods work in parts, assemblies, and drawings. The screenshots below use a part, but the workflows are very similar in other environments.

Method 1: Using Smart Dimension (driving angular dimension)

When to use it: Use Smart Dimension when you want the angle to be part of your design – something you can edit later to update the model or sketch.

• In a sketch (angle between two lines):
  1. Open or create a sketch that contains the lines you want to dimension.
  2. Click Smart Dimension on the toolbar (or go to Tools > Dimensions > Smart).
  3. Click the first line, then click the second line.
  4. Move your cursor until the angular dimension preview appears, then click to place the dimension.
  5. Type the desired angle in the Modify box and click OK. The sketch updates to match the new angle.

• On model edges or faces (outside a sketch):
  1. With no sketch active, go to Tools > Dimensions > Smart.
  2. Select the two edges or faces that form the angle.
  3. Move the cursor to preview the angular dimension and click to place it.
  4. Set the value in the Modify box if you want this angle to drive the geometry.

After placing the dimension, you can always double‑click it later and change the angle. This is usually the best option when you are designing to a specific requirement, such as “45° chamfer” or “15° draft”.

For more advanced control, Smart Dimension can also create angles relative to the horizontal/vertical directions or between three points, which is useful for splines and more complex geometry, but the basic workflow above covers the majority of day-to-day cases.

Method 2: Direct measurement from the Status Bar (quick check)

If you just want to quickly see an angle and don’t need a permanent dimension, you can read it directly in the Status Bar at the bottom of the SOLIDWORKS window.

To use direct measurement:

• Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
• Click the two faces or edges that form the angle.
• Look at the Status Bar – the angle between the selected entities is displayed there.

Note: if the angle between the two lines or faces is exactly 180° the software will report the Normal Distance instead of an angle.

This method is great for quick sanity checks while modeling because there is no dialog box to close and no dimensions added to the model.

Method 3: Using the Measure Tool (for detailed inspection)

The Measure tool is the most versatile way to inspect angles. It can measure angles, distances, radii and more between almost any combination of points, edges, faces and reference geometry.

1. Open the Measure tool in one of these ways:
   • Click Measure on the Evaluate tab, or
   • Go to Tools > Evaluate > Measure.
2. When the Measure dialog box opens, click the small arrow to expand the options if needed. This reveals additional controls such as XYZ components, projected distances, and unit settings.
3. Select the two faces, edges, or lines that form the angle you want to check. The angle value appears in the Measure dialog box, along with any other distances it calculates.

As you continue selecting different entities, the measurement updates automatically. You can keep the Measure tool open while you rotate or zoom the model to pick new references.

Tip: You can switch between open documents without closing the Measure dialog. Activate another part, assembly, or drawing and the values will refresh based on the new selections.

Tip: To return to normal selection while the Measure tool is still open, right‑click in the graphics area and choose Select. You can also minimize or pin the dialog box to free up screen space.

Tip: By default, the Measure tool uses the document’s units and precision. To temporarily change units (for example, to check an angle or distance in degrees, millimeters, or inches without altering the document settings), click the Units/Precision icon in the Measure dialog box.

Which method should I use?

• Use Smart Dimension when the angle is a design parameter that should be stored and easily edited later. This is ideal for sketches, model features, and drawing dimensions.
• Use direct measurement (Status Bar) when you just need a quick answer with minimal clicks.
• Use the Measure tool when you’re inspecting complex geometry, need more than one value at a time, or want to change units and precision on the fly.

All of the methods described above work in assemblies as well. In assemblies you can also create an Angle mate, which applies a controlled angular relationship between components. Angle mates are a powerful way to both set and check angles while you position parts, but that topic deserves a dedicated walkthrough, so we’ll save it for another article.