Measure distance on a map
Click point to point to measure straight-line distance across the map. See every leg, the running total and the bearing, in kilometres, miles, metres or feet.
How to measure distance on a map
- Choose the measure tool. It is already active above. In the full studio it is under Tools → Measure distance.
- Click your starting point. Search for a place first if you like – the search box accepts towns, addresses and landmarks.
- Click each point along the way. Every click adds a leg. The panel lists the length of each leg and the running total as you go.
- Double-click to finish. Or press Enter. Press Esc to cancel, or Backspace to remove the last point.
- Fix any point. Drag a vertex to move it; the distances update live.
- Keep it on the map. Choose Save as line to turn the measurement into a labelled route you can style, share or embed.
What you can measure
- Point-to-point distance – the straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance between two places.
- A path with many legs – a walking loop, a hiking trail, a fence line or a cable run.
- Distances between data points – zoom in and click on hospitals, airports or any layer's markers to measure between them.
- The nearest place – use Tools → Nearest feature to find the closest school, pharmacy or station to any point, with its distance.
How the distance is calculated
mapbow measures along the surface of the earth (great-circle, or geodesic, distance) rather than across the flat screen. That means a line from London to New York reports the real 5,570 km or so, not a distorted figure from the map projection. Each leg is calculated separately and summed, so long multi-leg paths stay accurate.
| Unit | Best for |
|---|---|
| Kilometres / miles | Travel, regions, countries |
| Metres / feet | Property, sites, parks, sports fields |
| Nautical miles | Sailing, aviation, marine planning |
Tips
- Turn on 3D and tilt the map to check whether a line crosses a ridge or valley.
- Switch to the satellite basemap for property boundaries, fences and paddocks you want to trace precisely.
- Need an area rather than a length? Close the shape with the area calculator.
Open the distance calculator full screen
Related
- Guide: how to measure distance on a map
- Radius map tool – everything within a set distance
- Route map maker – draw and share a route
- Latitude and longitude finder
Frequently asked questions
Is this the driving distance?
No – it is the straight-line distance over the earth's surface. It is ideal for comparing locations, planning radii and measuring paths you draw yourself. For a road route, trace the road with several clicks and the total will be close to the driving distance.
Can I measure in miles and kilometres at the same time?
The panel shows your chosen unit and you can switch at any moment; the measurement itself never changes, only the unit it is shown in.
How accurate is it?
The calculation is geodesic and accurate to well under a metre for the points you click. In practice accuracy depends on how precisely you place each point, so zoom in close for short distances.
Can I save or share a measurement?
Yes. Save it as a line on your map, give it a label, then share the map with a link or embed it on a website.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. Tap to add points and tap the last point again to finish. The studio is designed for touch screens as well as a mouse.
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