How to Measure Distance and Area in Google Maps

It’s no wonder that Google Maps is by far the best navigation app available today. But besides the usual navigation features, route options, real-time traffic information, Google Maps also offers some unique features like location history and the ability to measure distances and area.

While Google Maps already allows you to measure the distance of your trip by various modes of transportation, it can also measure distances between different points or even calculate an area of ​​any property on the globe.

We’ll show you how this feature works on mobile and PC. Let’s get started.

How to measure distance in Google Maps on PC

Whether you’re trying to calculate the distance along a straight line or a more complex route, measuring distances on the Google Maps web app is pretty straightforward. This is how it works.

Step 1: Open the Google Maps website in a browser on your PC.

Go to Google Maps

2nd step: Right click anywhere on the map and select the Measure distance option.

Step 3: Drag and drop the point that appears to choose a starting point.

Step 4: Then click on the second point (end point) on the map and Google Maps will display the measured distance in kilometers and miles.

Likewise, you can choose more points on the map to plot a more complex route. As you continue to pick points, the distance from the start point to the end point will adjust accordingly.

advice: When selecting points, you can zoom in / out on Google Maps to select points precisely.

If you accidentally choose a wrong point, click the point again to delete it. Likewise, you can also drag and drop the lines to adjust the route.

How to measure distance in Google Maps on mobile

Like its web version, you can also measure distances with the Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android.

2nd step: Tap and hold the starting point on the map from which you want to measure distance. A red marker will appear at the starting point.

Step 3: Tap the location detail of your starting point at the bottom and choose the Measure distance option.

Step 4: A second point will appear above the first. Move on the map to select a second point on the map. Once you do, the distance will be displayed at the bottom.

Step 5: Similar to the web version, you can add more points to create a complex route on the map. To confirm your second point, tap the Add Point option in the lower right corner of the screen.

You can select multiple points to measure the distance of a complex route.

While selecting points, if you add a wrong point, you can remove it using the Undo button at the top.

After measuring the distance, use the three-point menu and choose Clear to delete the measured distance.

How to calculate area in Google Maps on PC

In addition to measuring distance, the web version of Google Maps also allows you to calculate the area of ​​any location. With it, you can measure the area of ​​any property that might interest you. Here is how it works.

Step 1: Open your favorite web browser and go to Google Maps.

2nd step: Zoom in on the place or property you want to measure. Now right click on the map and select the Measure distance option.

Step 3: Move your pointer over the starting point and select multiple points around the outskirts of the property. Once you have created a closed shape using these points, Google Maps will also display the area of ​​that closed shape in square meters and square feet as well as the perimeter of the property.

Likewise, you can also measure an area of ​​your school, city, or even an island. All you have to do is create selection points along the boundary of this property.

You can only measure the area in the web version of Google Maps because it does not allow you to calculate the area in the Google Maps app.

No half measures

While measuring distance and area isn’t something you would do every day, it’s definitely a nice feature to have. And it definitely helps when measuring your daily route for walking, biking or hiking.

On top of that, did you know you can navigate Google Maps without the Internet? Find out how to download and use Google Maps offline.