7 Best Distance Measuring Apps for Your Smartphone

Forget the hassle of traditional tape measures or relying on road markers to gauge distance. With these distance measuring mobile applications, calculating accurate measurements has never been easier and quicker.

1. Ideal for Hiking and Biking: GPS Distance Calculator Trails

Available on: Android

Cost: Free with optional premium features

This app caters to all your outdoor activities, whether you enjoy hiking, biking, walking, or driving. GPS Distance Calculator Trails stands out for its simplicity—grant it location permissions, set a starting point, and you’re ready to go.

Starting a trail in GPS Distance Calculator Trails

One of its standout features is the ability to customize your map style and select your preferred measurement unit, enhancing the user experience significantly. The app is relatively new, currently only available on Android, and it functions seamlessly without the need for complex setup or account creation. However, future updates could benefit from an account feature to save your trails. During testing, the app did close unexpectedly once, but clearing the cache resolved the issue.

2. Perfect for Hike Planning: Footpath Route Planner

Supported on: Android | iOS

Cost: Free with premium upgrades

Unlike most apps that assess distance while you’re in motion, Footpath Route Planner shines in the planning stage. It’s perfect for verifying that a trail suits your endurance levels—just drag your finger to measure distances accurately.

The free version permits saving a limited number of routes, along with GPS recording (a free account is required).To access additional functionalities like turn-by-turn navigation or to export routes, an upgrade is essential. Additionally, this app tracks elevation changes, providing valuable insights into trail steepness.

3. Best for Perimeter Measurements: GPS Fields Area Measure

Compatible with: Android | iOS

Cost: Free with premium features

GPS Fields Area Measure enables users to start with a map and measure distances between multiple points—ideal for assessing distances between cities, measuring road lengths, or defining land perimeters.

Measuring distance in GPS Fields Area Measure app.

This app targets users such as farmers looking to efficiently measure their field perimeters, but it remains versatile enough for anyone needing to measure various distances worldwide. Employ either manual or GPS measures, available in metric and imperial units. Just click the + icon to pick your measuring method and mark your points. Note, though, that the free version has heavy ads, and an ad-free experience requires payment.

4. Best for Home DIY Tasks: AR Ruler 3D

Available on: Android | iOS

Price: Free with Pro options available

AR Ruler 3D utilizes your phone’s camera as a virtual tape measure, making it a handy tool for home renovation, landscaping, or new floor planning. This app allows for various measurements, including line length, volume, and distance.

By leveraging LiDAR technology, you can easily measure targets by simply moving your phone following the app’s tutorial. Choose your unit of measure (metric or imperial) and measurement type, including auto-detect for shapes. Although user-friendly, the app restricts daily free measurements to four, with ads present, albeit minimally intrusive.

5. Best for Walking Distances: Map My Walk

Platforms: Android | iOS

Cost: Free with premium upgrade options

For anyone looking to track walking distances, Map My Walk is a prime tool. Whether you want to determine the distance from your local coffee shop to home, the app captures everything from your route to pace and distance using GPS technology.

Creating a new workout route in Map My Walk.

This app focuses on fitness, offering integration with various fitness bands and devices. It allows you to choose from multiple walking types and activities, proving useful even when measuring just the length of a hallway. While basic tracking and route saving is free, customizing workouts and goals requires a premium upgrade. Note that you’ll need to create a free account to use it.

6. Best Free Option: Google Maps

Platforms: Android | iOS | Web

Cost: Free

Google Maps stands out as the only completely free app on this list. While many use it for navigation, it also includes a distance-measuring tool. To use this feature, navigate to the Measure Distance tool and get started.

You can measure vast or small areas by zooming in—whether it’s checking the distance of your yard or the width of a lake. To measure distances, right-click (Web) or long-press (app) on your starting point and choose Measure distance. Select other points to measure distances in various shapes. The application shows the overall distance, providing a user-friendly experience devoid of payments or intrusive advertisements.

Adding points to measure larger distances.

While Google Maps excels, alternative mapping options like Apple Maps also offer distance measurement features, notable for Android users.

7. Best for Land Surveying: GPS Land Measurement and Survey

Compatible with: Android | iOS

Price: Free with premium features

This app serves as both a distance measurement tool and an area calculator, primarily designed for land surveying. Users can select from manual or GPS-based measurement methods for precision.

Choosing measurement settings in GPS Land Measurement and Survey.

The interface resembles typical mapping applications, and it provides various measuring tools like Area, Distance, and Circle options. Users can choose from multiple input methods including tapping, drawing, or live GPS plotting to mark their points, with results displayed at the top and on the map.

Measuring an area on GPS Land Measurement and Survey.

This app is not only effective but also straightforward to navigate. While the free version has a limited number of projects, a premium upgrade allows for more extensive project management without overwhelming ads.

With an array of apps available for measuring distances—whether for leisure, fitness, or professional purposes—there’s a solution tailored to your needs. Utilize these innovative tools creatively to measure everything from small spaces to extensive distances. Just remember to secure your private data by avoiding public Wi-Fi when on the go.

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