How to measure distance and area in Google Maps
Google Maps has a robust feature setand is constantly improved, one update at a time. Most people use it for directions when moving from one place to another, but it can do much more. One of Maps' less obvious features is the ability to measure distances. I
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Measure distance in Google Maps in your web browser
If you use Google Maps on the web, you’re able to measure distances by following these steps:
The distance is measured in a straight line, with the total value appearing at the destination point and in a pop-up window. it’s possible to quickly move the origin or destination points around by simply double-clicking on either and dragging it to a new position.
You can also double-click and drag any point between the start and end of the line to draw more complex routes. This is useful for tracing actual movement paths accurately instead of straight lines. The total distance measured automatically adjusts, and you’ll also see individual distances between select points.
If you want to remove a point, click on it once without dragging it. And once you’re done with the tool, click theX symbolin the measurement box or right-click and selectClear measurementto close it.
You can quickly get the distance between two named places linked by roads by googling “Distance from X to Y.” Maps selects a route and calculates its distance based on your chosen transport means.
Measure distance in Google Maps mobile app for Android/iOS
Measuring distances in the Maps web software is similar to the mobile app. However, the differences between the input methods (touch and mouse) make navigating the feature slightly different. Here’s how:
If you wish to measure a more complex route, tap the blue+button at every turn to set a new point. The distance automatically adjusts as each new location is added.
Unlike when using the web version on your PC or Mac, you can’t drag and move an existing line or a point you’ve added to the map. So, you’ll need to map out the route as you go using the+button.
You can remove the last point added by tapping theundo arrowin the upper-right corner of the screen. To undo everything and start over, tap theMore(three-dot) icon in the upper-right corner and selectClear.
Measure an area of a location in Google Maps
Calculating distances is pretty neat, but Maps takes things further with its ability to measure the area of a location in square feet and square meters. This can come in handy for getting an estimated size of a real estate property without hiring a professional.
The area calculator is only available for the desktop web app. So, you won’t be able to recreate this on mobile.
Here’s how to use it:
Switch tosatellite modeusing the Layers tile in the lower-left corner of the screen to see the boundaries of the location. Also, the more points you add, especially on slightly curved sides, the more accurate the area will be.
Each point of your selected area is still draggable even after the initial area has been calculated, so you can adjust them for further accuracy if needed.
Get more out of Google Maps
Next time you wish to measure the distance between two places or calculate the area of a property, follow the steps above. For more guides to using Google Maps, check out our articles onchanging your home addressandsetting your commutein the app.
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