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Google Earth lets you measure various dimensions of points, paths, and polygons.
Each feature type includes some terrain statistics, which are provided as
advanced measurements.
Terrain statistics initially vary with map view resolution and are refined once
drawing the feature is complete. All values depend on inferred data, which may
have errors. All measurement results are estimates, may not be 100%
accurate, and are not substitutes for onsite or survey-grade measurements.
Length or distance and area measurement results don't account for changes in
elevation.
The following table summarizes the measurement information provided for each
feature type.
Feature type
Measurement information
Between two points or locations
Length
Heading
Advanced measurements:
Minimum, median, and maximum elevation points of the terrain
Minimum, median, and maximum slope of the terrain
Path (3+ points)
Length
Advanced measurements:
Minimum, median, and maximum elevation points of the terrain
Minimum, median, and maximum slope of the terrain
Polygon
Perimeter
Area
Advanced measurements:
Minimum, median, and maximum elevation points of the terrain
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-09-04 UTC."],[],[],null,["# Measure distances and areas\n\nGoogle Earth lets you measure various dimensions of points, paths, and polygons.\nEach feature type includes some terrain statistics, which are provided as\nadvanced measurements.\n| **Note:** For best results, measure using a top-down view and the satellite basemap.\n\nTerrain statistics initially vary with map view resolution and are refined once\ndrawing the feature is complete. All values depend on inferred data, which may\nhave errors. All measurement results are estimates, may not be 100%\naccurate, and are not substitutes for onsite or survey-grade measurements.\n\nLength or distance and area measurement results don't account for changes in\nelevation.\n\nThe following table summarizes the measurement information provided for each\nfeature type.\n\n| Feature type | Measurement information |\n|---------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|\n| Between two points or locations | - Length - Heading - Advanced measurements: - Minimum, median, and maximum elevation points of the terrain - Minimum, median, and maximum slope of the terrain |\n| Path (3+ points) | - Length - Advanced measurements: - Minimum, median, and maximum elevation points of the terrain - Minimum, median, and maximum slope of the terrain |\n| Polygon | - Perimeter - Area - Advanced measurements: - Minimum, median, and maximum elevation points of the terrain |\n\n| **Note:** These instructions only apply to Google Earth on web and mobile. Learn how to [measure distances in Google Earth\n| Pro](https://support.google.com/earth/answer/148134).\n\n|----------------------|----------|---------|-----|---|\n| **Select platform:** | Computer | Android | iOS | |"]]
