Measure distances and areas in Google Earth

You can measure distances between locations and along paths. You can also measure the size of polygons that you draw in Google Earth.

Measurements of distances may not be 100% accurate, especially in areas with 3D terrain and buildings. For best results, measure using a top-down view.

Tips:

  1. On your computer, open Google Earth.
  2. Search for a place, or select a location on the globe.
  3. On the left, click Measure Measure . Google Earth will switch to a top-down view.
  4. Click the map to set measurement points.
  5. To remove a point, on the right, click Undo Undo.
  6. To complete your line measurement, double-click on your last point, or click Done Done.

On the right, you’ll see the length.

Tips:

  • To measure the area of a location, connect to your first point to close the shape. You’ll see the area on the right.
  • To see these instructions and get more assistance, click Help Help.

Edit your measurement

  • When you finish adding points, to edit your line segments or shape, click and drag the points.
  • To measure again, on the right, click Start New Start New.
  • To delete your measurement and go back to the map, on the right, click Close Close.

Change measurement units

After measuring a distance:

  1. At the top right, you can find the measured distance.
  2. Next to a unit of distance, click the dropdown Drop down arrow.
  3. Choose a unit of measurement.

To adjust overall settings:

  1. On the left, open the menu Menu.
  2. Click Settings Settings.
  3. In the “Format and Units” section, adjust to the desired units.

Measure the elevation of a point

  1. On the map, place your cursor to the point that you want to measure the elevation.
  2. At the bottom right, you can find the elevation at the rightmost part.

Tip: You can't measure the elevation difference between two points.

 

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