Quick Measure

How to measure lines and areas on the map — and print them

Measure things on the map, then print them out.

In this guide you will measure a line (like the length of a driveway) and an area (like a back yard), fix anything you got wrong, and then put it all on a piece of paper.

It takes about five minutes.

Step 1 — Click the ruler

The ruler lives in the strip of buttons down the right-hand side of the map.

Click it once to start measuring.

Tip: when you have finished, click the same ruler button again.

Step 2 — Meet the toolbar

A toolbar appears along the bottom of the map. Everything you need is here.

Step 3 — Measure a line

1. Click the pencil, then click the line shape (circled below).

2. Click on the map where your line starts. Click again at every corner. The length appears as you go.

3. Press Enter to finish. (Double-clicking or right-clicking works too.)

Every part of the line shows its own length. The Σ at the end is the total.

Oops? Press Esc to throw away a line you are still drawing.

Step 4 — Measure an area

1. Click the pencil, then click the area shape — the five-sided one.

2. Click your way around the outside of the thing you are measuring, then press Enter.

Now you get the length of every side and the size of the space inside.

Step 5 — Change one you already made

Drew it in the wrong colour? Put a corner in the wrong spot? You do not have to start again. That is what the arrow is for.

1. Click the arrow (circled below).

2. Click the measurement you want to change.

3. A little bar pops up. Use it to change that one measurement.

With the arrow you can also just drag things:

Drag a corner to move it.

Drag a label if it is sitting on top of something.

4. Click a single corner and the bar changes to that corner — including the button that removes it.

Shortcut: right-click a corner and it goes straight away.

Click on an empty bit of map to put the bar away.

Step 6 — Change the colour

Click any coloured dot before you draw. The + lets you mix your own.

Step 7 — Metres or kilometres?

Click the cog for the settings. You can swap metres for kilometres, and m² for hectares. Dynamic just picks whichever fits best.

Step 8 — Put the toolbar away

Click the arrows pointing inwards.

The toolbar disappears — but your measurements stay right where they are.

Step 9 — Print it

1. Click the printer in the right-hand strip of buttons.

2. Click Show Print Area.

3. A frame appears on the map. Drag it over the part you want to keep, and fill in the boxes on the right — paper size, and a title if you like.

4. Click Create PDF.

Your PDF downloads. Open it and print it — your lines, your areas and all their measurements come out on the paper exactly as you see them on the screen.

Keys worth knowing

Three handy extras

Magnet on — your clicks snap neatly onto property corners and edges, so measuring a section is exact instead of nearly right.

Eraser — hides a label that is in the way without deleting the measurement. The crossed-out eye brings hidden labels back.

Bin — clears everything off the map. Do not worry: it asks first.

Measurement Accuracy

Technical Specifications:

· Uses NZTM coordinate system for calculations

· Suitable for preliminary estimates and verification

· Not a substitute for professional surveying or high precision application

Professional Use Guidelines:

· Use for preliminary site assessment

· Verify with professional survey data

· Consider coordinate system accuracy

· Understand limitations for legal purposes