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How to Measure Distance in a Map App

Tap a step to see how it works.

  1. Long-press your starting point

    Press and hold the location you want to measure from to drop a pin there.

  2. Open the “Measure distance” menu

    From the place info card that appears, select “Measure distance” (sometimes labeled “Measure”).

  3. Choose your end point

    Pan the map so your desired destination lines up with the crosshair, then tap to add the point and see the distance.

  4. Add more points to measure a route

    If you want the total distance along a route through several stops rather than a straight line, keep tapping to add more points.

  5. Clear the measurement

    Tap the reset button to clear all the points you’ve placed if you want to start over.

Great for planning a walk or a run

When you’re planning a running route or just want to know the rough straight-line distance between two spots, the measure distance tool in a map app gives you an instant number.

Want to save your favorite places too?

It is also worth checking out how to save favorite places (bookmarks) in a map app for spots you visit often.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the measured distance match the actual travel distance?

The measure distance tool calculates the straight-line distance between points, so it can differ from the routed distance you’d actually walk or drive.

Can I switch the unit from kilometers to miles?

Changing the distance unit in the app’s settings updates how the measurement result is displayed.