How to Use the Measure Tool

Learn how to use the Map Room’s Measure Tool, which helps you identify geographic coordinates, path lengths, and area sizes at the click of a button. This tool is available for all SparkMap users.

Identify Geographic Coordinates

Measure Paths

Measure Areas

1 – Identify Geographic Coordinates

To find the measure tool, click the “Tools” tab in the Map Room and scroll to the Measure Tool heading.

To identify geographic coordinates, select the “Geographic Coordinate” box (Figure 1).

*Figure 1 – Geographic Coordinate Button in Map Room’s Measure Tool*

Click on the area of your map for which you wish to acquire geographic coordinates.

Information about the point’s coordinates will populate under the Measure Tools tab (Figure 2). This information includes the point’s latitude, longitude, UTM zone, and elevation.

*Figure 2 – Geographic Coordinate Results using Measure Tool*

2 – Measure Paths

To measure paths, select the “Measure Path” box under the Measure Tools heading(Figure 3).

*Figure 3 – Measure Path Button in Map Room’s Measure Tool*

Click on the area of your map where you would like to begin your path. Then continue to draw your path by clicking points on the map. When you have finished drawing your path, click the “Finish” button or double click the final point of your path (Figure 4).

To edit your path, click and drag any of your previously selected points. When you have finished editing, or if no edits are needed, click the “Done Editing” button.

*Figure 4 – Path drawn using Measure Tool*

Scroll down under the Measure Tools tab to see your path’s distance, elevation, and slope (Figure 5).

*Figure 5 – Results of Path Measured using Measure Tool*

3 – Measure Map Areas

Click the “Measure Area” box under the Measure Tools heading (Figure 6).

*Figure 6 – Measure Area Button in Map Room’s Measure Tool*

Click a start point on the map to start drawing an area. When you’re finished, double-click on the map or click the “Finish” button to complete the area (Figure 7).

*Figure 7 – Area selected using Measure Tool*

Scroll down under the Measure Tools tab to see your area’s measurements and perimeter (Figure 8).