How to Measure Area Using Google Maps (or Google Earth)

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Find the area of a location in square feet or square meters

Co-authored by Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: July 14, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Measuring Area with Google Maps (Desktop Only)
|
• Using Google Earth (Mobile)
|
• Using Google Earth (Desktop)

|Show more |Show less

Google Maps has more uses other than just providing you with general directions. You can measure distances and areas on the map with it. Currently, this function isn’t available on mobile, but the good news is that Google Earth does let you find area on both mobile and desktop. We’ll show you how to find the area of a selection with both Google Maps and Google Earth.

Quick Steps

1. Search for a location in Google Maps.
2. Right-click the map and select Measure distance.
3. Click on the map to draw a shape.
4. Read the area measurement in the pop-up window.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Measuring Area with Google Maps (Desktop Only)

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1. 
   1
   Find your location to be measured with Google Maps. Open any web browser and go to the Google Maps website. Search for your location in the search bar, or select the target icon in the bottom right to view your current location.

   • Use the “+” and “-” buttons, or scroll up and down with your mouse, to zoom in and out.
   • Note that currently, area can only be measured on the Google Maps desktop site. Mobile versions can only measure distances in a line.
   • If you’d like to measure area on mobile, you can use Google Earth.
2. 
   2
   Right-click on the map to see more tools.
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3. 
   3
   Select Measure distance. This drops a pin where you right-clicked, and initiates the distance measuring tools, which can also be used to measure area.
4. 
   4
   Click on the map to draw your area to be measured. Each click will drop a new pin, connected to the last pin by a straight line. Keep dropping pins on the map until the perimeter of your area is completely enclosed.

   • Click on a pin to delete it.
   • Click and drag on a pin to move it.
   • Click on the first pin after dropping more pins to enclose and complete the area.
5. 
   5
   Read the area measurement at the bottom of the screen. Once you close the area, the small window at the bottom of the map will display the area of your enclosed space. This window also displays the total distance from the first pin to the last pin, which can be used to record the area’s perimeter.

   • The results will be displayed in both square feet and square meters, and transition to square miles and square kilometers when large enough.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Google Earth (Mobile)

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1. 
   1
   Open Google Earth and find your location to be measured. Get Google Earth mobile on the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
2. 
   2
   Find your location. Search for your location in the search bar, or select the target icon in the bottom right to view your current location.
3. 
   3
   Select Measure from the bottom toolbar. You may need to swipe up from the bottom of your screen to access this toolbar.
4. 
   4
   Add points to draw your area to be measured. Use your finger to drag the map so that the reticle in the center of the screen hovers over where you want to drop a pin, then tap + Add point. Keep adding new pins to outline the area you want to measure.

   • Add a new pin right over your first pin to define your shape. Google Earth will automatically enclose the area.
5. 
   5
   Read the area measurement in the information window. As you drop pins, Google Earth will display the distance between them in the pop-up window. Once you enclose the area, Google Earth will also display the distance of the area.

   • Measurements are shown in square meters by default. Select the drop-down arrow (⌄) next to a measurement to be shown a list of other available units of measurement.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Google Earth (Desktop)

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1. 
   1
   Open Google Earth and find your location to be measured. Open any web browser and go to the Google Earth website. Search for your location in the search bar, or select the target icon in the bottom right to view your current location.
2. 
   2
   Select Measure distance. Select the ruler icon in the top navigation bar to initiate the distance measuring tool.
3. 
   3
   Click on the map to draw your area to be measured. Each click will drop a new pin, connected to the last pin by a straight line. Keep dropping pins on the map until the perimeter of your area is completely enclosed. Select the back arrow to undo your previous pin.

   • Select the first pin you dropped to enclose the area. Add a new pin right over your first pin to define your shape. Google Earth will automatically enclose the area.
4. 
   4
   Read the area measurement in the information window. As you drop pins, Google Earth will display the distance between them in the pop-up window. Once you enclose the area, Google Earth will also display the distance of the area.

   • Measurements are shown in square meters by default. Select the drop-down arrow (⌄) next to a measurement to be shown a list of other available units of measurement.
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