Map Distance Calculator
Click on the map to drop points and measure the distance along any path: a hike, a boat trip, a property line or a delivery round. Every segment shows its length and compass bearing, totals update instantly in miles, kilometers and nautical miles, and you can export the path as GPX or CSV.
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Click the map to add points. Drag a point to move it, drag a small + handle between two points to insert a bend, and double-click a point to delete it.
| Kilometers | – |
|---|---|
| Miles | – |
| Nautical miles | – |
| Meters | – |
| Feet | – |
| Points / segments | 0 / 0 |
| Start to end | – |
| Enclosed area | – |
Add points from coordinates or a GPX file
Segments
| Segment | Length | Bearing | Cumulative | End point | Remove |
|---|
How to use the Map Distance Calculator
- Find the area: search a place or address, type coordinates, or press Find my location, then zoom with the + button or mouse wheel.
- Click to add points: each click adds a point and the total distance and segment table update instantly.
- Edit the path: drag any point to move it, drag the small + handle in the middle of a segment to add a bend, or double-click a point to remove it.
- Pick the unit: switch between miles, kilometers and nautical miles; the other units are always listed in the results.
- Close it for area: tick Close the path (or click the start point A) to measure a perimeter and the area inside.
- Save or share: download a GPX file for a GPS app, a CSV of the segments, or copy a share link.
How distances on the map are calculated
Web maps use the Web Mercator projection, which stretches everything away from the equator: at 40° latitude one centimeter on screen covers about 30% less ground than at the equator, and at 60° only half as much. Measuring pixels would therefore be wrong, so this tool never does. Instead, every segment between two clicked points is measured on the WGS84 ellipsoid with Vincenty's inverse formula, which is accurate to well under a millimeter for any two points on Earth.
- Path distance = sum of all segment lengths (plus the closing segment when the path is closed).
- Start to end = the direct geodesic distance from point A to point B, useful to compare with the path length (the ratio tells you how winding a route is).
- Bearing = atan2(sin Δλ · cos φ₂, cos φ₁ · sin φ₂ − sin φ₁ · cos φ₂ · cos Δλ), converted to degrees clockwise from true north.
- Area (closed paths) = |Σ (λᵢ₊₁ − λᵢ) · (2 + sin φᵢ + sin φᵢ₊₁)| · R² / 2 with the mean Earth radius R = 6,371,008.8 m.
Distance unit reference
| Unit | Meters | Feet | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kilometer (km) | 1,000 | 3,280.84 | Road signs and maps in most countries, running races |
| 1 statute mile (mi) | 1,609.344 | 5,280 | US and UK road distances |
| 1 nautical mile (nm) | 1,852 | 6,076.12 | Sea and air navigation, speeds in knots |
| 1 minute of latitude | ≈ 1,843 to 1,862 | ≈ 6,046 to 6,108 | Chart scales: about one nautical mile |
| 1 degree of latitude | ≈ 110,574 to 111,694 | ≈ 362,776 to 366,450 | About 69 miles anywhere on Earth |
| 1 degree of longitude at 40° | ≈ 85,394 | ≈ 280,163 | Shrinks to zero at the poles (cos of latitude) |
Tips for accurate measurements
- Zoom in before clicking on short paths. At zoom level 17 one screen pixel is roughly a meter in mid-latitudes, so a careless click near a corner adds little error.
- Follow curves with more points. A straight segment across a bend always underestimates the real path. Use the + handles to add bends after you draw.
- Compass directions are true, not magnetic. To steer by a magnetic compass, add or subtract the local magnetic declination.
- Long distances follow great circles. A segment from New York to Madrid is measured along the shortest path over the globe, which looks curved on a flat map even though it is drawn as a straight line here.
Frequently asked questions
How does the map distance calculator measure distance?
Each point you click is a latitude and longitude. The length of every segment is computed with Vincenty's inverse formula on the WGS84 ellipsoid, the same Earth model used by GPS, and the segments are added up. This is a geodesic (shortest path over the Earth's surface) distance, so it is accurate even for long paths where a flat map would be badly distorted.
Is this the driving or walking distance?
No. It measures the straight lines between the points you click, so it is an as-the-crow-flies or along-your-clicks distance. To approximate a road or trail distance, click along the road or trail with more points on the bends. For running routes that follow streets automatically, use the Running Route Distance Calculator.
What is a nautical mile?
A nautical mile is exactly 1,852 meters (about 1.1508 statute miles or 6,076 feet). It was originally based on one minute of latitude, which is why it is used for sea and air navigation, and speeds in knots are nautical miles per hour.
What does the bearing column mean?
The bearing is the initial compass direction from the start of a segment to its end, measured clockwise from true north: 0° is north, 90° east, 180° south and 270° west. On long segments the direction changes slightly along a great-circle path, so the value shown is the heading at the start of the segment. It is relative to true north, not magnetic north.
How do I measure the area of a field or lot?
Click around the boundary and tick Close the path. The perimeter appears as the main result and the enclosed area is shown in square miles or acres (or km² and hectares in metric). The area uses a spherical polygon formula and is very accurate for parcels and lakes, as long as the outline does not cross itself.
Can I import a GPX file or a list of coordinates?
Yes. Open the Add points section and paste one latitude, longitude pair per line in decimal degrees, or choose a GPX file. Track points are used first, then route points, then waypoints. Very long tracks are thinned to 2,000 points so the editor stays fast. The file is read in your browser and is not uploaded.
Why is the distance different from what my GPS watch recorded?
A GPS track records hundreds of small wiggles, while a clicked path cuts across them, so a watch usually reads a few percent longer on winding routes. Add more points on curves to get closer. Elevation changes are not included: distances are measured over the surface of the ellipsoid, which for typical hills adds well under 1%.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.