Knowing how to measure distance with Google Maps lets you get even more from the world’s most popular navigation service. Whether you’re running the app on one of the latest and greatest iPhones or the best Android phones, or using the website on a computer, Google Maps does more than just help you navigate from place to place.
Using the Google Maps app or website, you can measure the distance between two or more pinned locations. Why is it useful? Well, it can save you time if you’re looking to quickly check the physical distance of certain places without having to plan a route between them – or provide a fleeting moment of fun if you’ve ever wondered how far away is. your North Pole or Sahara Desert home.
Whatever your reason for doing so, here’s how to measure distance with Google Maps.
How to measure distance with Google Maps: PC and Mac
1. Open Google Maps and right click on a starting point. In the menu that appears, click on “Measure distance”.
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 the marked points to remove them.
3. To plot 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 clicking repeatedly along the intended path.
4. To finish, click on the “X” symbol in the distance measurement area.
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.
2. At the bottom of the screen, tap the name of the place. It can be a specific address, but don’t worry if it’s just a town or city name — tap it anyway.
3. Tap “Measure distance”. You will be returned to the map, with a white dot surrounded by a black crosshair over the point you marked.
4. By tapping, holding and dragging, move the map so that the crosshairs point to the next point you want to add. Once the reticle is in place, press the blue “+” button. The distance between the first and the last point will appear at the bottom left of the screen.
5. To measure a more complex route, set a new point each turn you would need to do. Unlike PC and Mac, you cannot drag and drop an existing line, so draw the route step by step using the “+” button.
You can also undo stitches by tapping the back arrow symbol in the top right of the screen.
Now that you know how to measure distance with Google Maps, find out how to download Google Maps offline or our roundup of Google Maps tips and tricks. And find out how to share location on Google Maps if you want to make getting together with friends or family easier.
