Guide to the AutoCAD TLEN.lsp Download and Setup Calculating the cumulative length of hundreds of lines or polylines manually is a tedious task. Because AutoCAD does not have a single native "Total Length" command in the Properties palette for multiple selections, CAD professionals rely on the TLEN.lsp routine. This AutoLISP script automates the measurement of multiple objects—including lines, arcs, and polylines—to give you an instant total. Where to Download TLEN.lsp You can find reliable versions of the script through several community hubs and developer sites: Lee Mac Programming : Offers a popular version called Total Length & Area that includes additional features like area calculation. GitHub/Gists : You can find the raw source code for TLEN.lsp on GitHub Gist , which you can copy into a text file and save with a .lsp extension. Autodesk App Store : A similar plugin titled TotalLength is available for users who prefer an official installer over a manual script. How to Install and Make it Work Once you have downloaded the .lsp file, follow these steps to load it into your AutoCAD environment:
Title: How to Download & Make the TLEN.LSP Work in AutoCAD (Total Length Calculation) Meta Description: Struggling with the tlen.lsp command in AutoCAD? Learn where to safely download it, how to load it properly, and how to get the Total Length of multiple lines, polylines, and arcs to work instantly.
The TLEN Dilemma: “I Downloaded It, But It Won’t Work!” If you’ve ever needed to find the total length of multiple lines, polylines, or arcs in AutoCAD, you’ve probably heard of tlen.lsp . It’s a legendary, lightweight LISP routine that saves hours of manual calculation. But here is the common cry we hear in forums: “I downloaded tlen.lsp, but when I type TLEN, nothing happens!” Don’t worry. By the end of this post, you will have it running correctly. Step 1: Where to Safely Download TLEN.LSP Do not download from random EXE files or shady “freeware” sites. The safest, cleanest version is available on trusted AutoCAD forums.
Safe sources: Lee Mac’s website (he has a TotalLength routine), CADTutor forums, or TheSwamp.org. The original TLEN.LSP code is often posted as plain text. You can copy that text into Notepad and save it as tlen.lsp . autocad tlenlsp download work
Note: If your antivirus blocks a .lsp download, it’s a false positive. LISP files are plain text, not executables. Step 2: How to Load TLEN.LSP (The “Work” Part) Downloading isn’t enough. You have to tell AutoCAD to load the program. Method 1: Quick Manual Load (For one session)
Open AutoCAD. Type APPLOAD (or AP ) and press Enter. In the dialog box, navigate to where you saved tlen.lsp . Select the file and click Load . Look at the bottom of the dialog box. You should see: “tlen.lsp successfully loaded.” Click Close .
Method 2: Permanent Load (So it works every time) Guide to the AutoCAD TLEN
Type APPLOAD → Enter. Click the Startup Suite (briefcase icon) at the bottom of the dialog. Click Add → find tlen.lsp → Open → Close .
Now, TLEN will auto-load every time you start AutoCAD. Step 3: How to Use TLEN (The Command) Once loaded, here is how to make it actually work :
Type TLEN and press Enter. Select the objects you want to measure. (You can select lines, polylines, arcs, circles, and even splines). Press Enter to finish selection. Voilà! AutoCAD will display a text window showing: Where to Download TLEN
Total length of selected objects. Number of objects selected. Average length.
Pro Tip: If you don’t see the total length, check the F2 text screen – it often prints there. Troubleshooting: Why Isn’t TLEN Working? | Problem | Solution | | :--- | :--- | | Unknown command "TLEN" | You forgot to load it. Repeat Step 2 above. | | ; error: bad argument type | You selected a block, image, or OLE object. TLEN only works on lines, arcs, polylines, circles, and splines. | | The total length seems wrong | Check for overlapping lines or duplicate objects. Use OVERKILL first. | | It works but shows zero | Your polylines may have zero length (drawn wrong). Explode and rejoin them. | A Modern Alternative (If TLEN Still Fails) If you cannot get the legacy tlen.lsp to work, don’t fight it. Use AutoCAD’s built-in Data Extraction or a modern LISP: