Javascript required
Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Google Maps Measure Distance Stopped Drawing Line

How to measure distance with Google Maps

How to measure distance with Google Maps
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In this guide on how to measure distance with Google Maps, we'll show you the way to get the most out of one of the app's less-known but potentially very useful features.

When you're looking for directions, Google Maps already makes it clear how long a journey will take. But what if you want to find out the exact distance between two points? This can help to devise your own running and cycling routes, or account for local shortcuts that the app itself doesn't take into account.

  • Find out how to turn on Google Maps dark mode
  • How to change home in Google Maps
  • How to download offline Google Maps

Fortunately, Google Maps lets you find out the distance between any two points on the globe — either as the crow flies, or using an actual travel route along roads and pathways. If you want to measure a specific route, you'll need to map it out yourself, but it's easy to do. Just follow the steps below.

You can measure distance in Google Maps using both the web app on desktop, including both Windows and macOS, and on Android or iOS mobile devices.

How to measure distance with Google Maps: PC and Mac

1. Open Google Maps and right-click on a starting point. On the menu that appears, click "Measure Distance."

How to measure distance with Google Maps on PC step 1: Right click on starting point and select Measure distance

(Image credit: Future)

2. Click anywhere on the map to draw a line between the starting point and the destination point. The distance, in a straight line, will appear in a box at the bottom of the screen. You can click on marked points to remove them.

How to measure distance with Google Maps on PC step 2: Click destination point

(Image credit: Future)

3. To draw a more complex route, click on the line and drag it into position at various points. The total distance measured, between the start and end points, will automatically adjust. Alternatively, you can draw a route by repeatedly clicking along the intended path.

How to measure distance with Google Maps on PC step 3: Click and drag the black line to adjust the route

(Image credit: Future)

4. To finish, click the "X" symbol in the distance measurement box.

How to measure distance with Google Maps on PC step 4: Click X in distance measurement box to finish

(Image credit: Future)

How to measure distance in Google Maps: Android and iOS

1. Open Google Maps, then tap and hold on a starting point until a red marker appears.

How to measure distance with Google Maps on mobile step 1: Tap and hold on starting point

(Image credit: Future)

2. At the bottom of the screen, tap the name of the place. This might be a specific address, but don't worry if it's just a town or city name — tap it anyway.

How to measure distance with Google Maps on mobile step 2: Tap the name of the starting point

(Image credit: Future)

3. Tap "Measure distance." You'll be returned to the map, with a white dot surrounded by black crosshairs on the point you marked.

How to measure distance with Google Maps on mobile step 3: Tap Measure distance

(Image credit: Future)

4. By pressing, holding and dragging, move the map so that the crosshair points to the next point you want to add. Once the crosshair is in place, tap the blue "+" button. The distance between the first and last points will appear in the bottom-left of the screen.

How to measure distance with Google Maps on mobile step 4: Drag and move map to place next point. Distance between first and last points appears in bottom left

(Image credit: Future)

5. To measure a more complex route, set a new point at every turn you'd need to make. Unlike on PC and Mac, you can't drag and move and existing line, so map out the route step by step using the "+" button.

You can also undo points by tapping the backwards arrow symbol at the top-right of the screen.

How to measure distance with Google Maps on mobile step 5: Keep setting points to measure out route

(Image credit: Future)
  • More: How to drop a pin in Google Maps
James Archer

James joined Tom's Guide in 2020, bringing years of experience in consumer tech and product testing. As Audio Editor, James covers headphones, speakers, soundbars and anything else that intentionally makes noise. A PC enthusiast, he also covers the occasional spot of computing and gaming news, usually relating to how hard it is to find graphics card stock.

Google Maps Measure Distance Stopped Drawing Line

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-measure-distance-with-google-maps