LEED rating system

The most widely used green building rating system.

Phipps Center for Sustainable Landscapes | LEED Platinum | Photo: ©denmarsh photography, inc.

LEED-certified green buildings are better buildings

LEED is the most widely recognized green building rating system in the world. LEED certification offers a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-effective green buildings, providing environmental and social benefits. It serves as a globally recognized symbol of sustainability leadership, supported by a committed community of organizations and individuals driving market transformation.

LEED is designed for all building types and phases

LEED is for all project types and phases, including new construction, core and shell, interior fit-outs, operations and maintenance, neighborhoods and cities. To select a rating system, review the rating system selection guidance.

AG��˰ټ��ֹ�� Design and Construction (BD+C)

For the design and construction of whole buildings, and additions to buildings, of various use types that are either new construction or undergoing major renovations.

Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)

For complete commercial interior fit-out projects that have no scope for the exterior shell of the building and/or site work.

AG��˰ټ��ֹ�� Operations and Maintenance (O+M)

For existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction, O+M offers an opportunity to pay close attention to building operations by supporting whole buildings that have been fully operational and occupied for at least one year.

Neighborhood Development (ND)

For new land development projects or redevelopment projects containing residential uses, nonresidential uses, or a mix. Projects can be at any stage of the development process, from conceptual planning to construction.

Residential

For the design and construction of high-performance residential buildings.

Cities

For entire cities and sub-sections of a city. LEED for Cities projects can measure and manage their city’s water consumption, energy use, waste, transportation and human experience.

How LEED works

LEED is holistic. As a framework, it addresses everything from energy and water use to materials selection, managing waste and indoor environmental quality through a series of credit categories tailored for each rating system. To achieve LEED certification, a project must first complete all prerequisites and then earn points by selecting and satisfying credit requirements. Projects go through a verification and review process by GBCI and are awarded points that correspond to a level of LEED certification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Platinum
80+ points earned

Gold
60-79 points earned

Silver
50-59 points earned

Certified
40-49 points earned

Certification process for the LEED BD+C, ID+C, and O+M rating systems

Determine the appropriate LEED rating system and version: LEED v5, LEED v4.1 or LEED v4. Review the minimum program requirements and prerequisites for credit categories related to your chosen rating system.
Depending on the selected version, register the project in (LEED v5) or (LEED v4.1 and LEED v4).
Choose the credits that align with your project’s goals and build your LEED project scorecard. Learn more about the credits in the LEED credit library.
Manage the implementation of your sustainability strategies with your project team. Assign credits to team members and document the achievement of prerequisites and credits.
Submit documentation for review in or .

LEED project tools and resources

LEED is powered by comprehensive education offerings designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to design, build, and operate sustainable buildings. Through events, courses, credentialing programs, and continuing education, professionals can lead the way in creating a healthier, more resilient built environment. Learn more.

Understanding LEED and getting started

Minimum program requirements Project teams that are new to LEED use the minimum program requirements (MPRs) to determine whether their building type is eligible to achieve a LEED rating. While most are eligible, the MPRs define the types of buildings that LEED was designed to evaluate.
Rating system selection guidance: This information helps project teams identify the most appropriate LEED rating system for their project. View the rating system selection guidance.
LEED credit library: This is the central resource for understanding LEED credit requirements. It provides details on compliance paths and points earned. Explore the credit library.
Guide to Certification: This resource outlines the overall process of pursuing LEED certification, including key steps, policies, pricing and deadlines for each rating system. This is the roadmap to getting certified. Read the guide.
LEED reference guides: Comprehensive guides that provide in-depth explanations of each credit and prerequisite within a specific rating system. You can think of these as detailed instruction manuals. View LEED v5 guides and LEED v4 guides.

Project development and documentation

Sample forms: Access required documentation templates and examples to demonstrate compliance with LEED credits. View sample forms.
Addenda: A repository of clarification, corrections, and interpretations of the LEED rating systems to ensure consistent application. Search the database.
Regional priority credits: Identify LEED credits that address specific environmental priorities in your project’s geographic location, potentially earning extra points. Search regional priority credits in the database.
Pilot credits: Explore and utilize new, innovative credits that are being tested for potential inclusion in future LEED rating systems. Access pilot credits or register to pursue a pilot credit.

Project promotion

Once a project earns certification, showcase the achievement with LEED certificates, signage and a press release. Learn more.

AG��˰ټ��ֹ��

LEED rating system

LEED-certified green buildings are better buildings