Getting directions in Google Maps lets you easily meet how far away the destination is. Yet, if you lot want to know the altitude between point A and betoken B on a hiking or running trail, here's how to practice that in Google Maps.

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This technique works on the web interface on a computer, likewise as on iPhone and Android. Nonetheless, it doesn't work in the web interface in a mobile browser. With that said, let's brainstorm. In my case, I'm going to be measuring the distance of a large trail loop that goes effectually the local YMCA.

On a Computer

To brainstorm, fire up any web browser on your reckoner, get to maps.google.com, and zoom in on the desired location. Right-clicking the starting point of the distance you desire to measure out, and then click the "Measure Altitude" option. I accept the Satellite layer enabled here, simply you tin can do this in any layer you lot want.

At present, follow the trail and click information technology wherever information technology curves to place measuring markers that follow the trail's path exactly.

You can zoom in and out every bit much as you'd similar during the process in order to be every bit accurate or rough equally you want.

Throughout the marking process, the total distance so far is shown at the bottom of the "Measure Distance" popup. It also shows the total square footage of the area, which tin can be useful if y'all're making a complete circuit or only want to measure how big a particular area is.

If you add a indicate in error, just click the point again to remove information technology. You lot can likewise add points anywhere forth the line and drag them around to change the path.

If you're drawing a circuit of some kind (instead of a simple betoken A to point B measurement), consummate the excursion by clicking on your starting point again. This will not remove your starting signal.

On iPhone & Android

Open up the Google Maps app, and and then find the location you desire to measure. Tap and hold the starting signal where you desire the distance measurement to begin. A dropped pin appears at that bespeak.

Side by side, tap the white "Dropped Pin" box at the bottom of the screen.

Tap the "Measure out Distance" option.

A 2d signal appears at this point. It may automatically land at your electric current location rather than where y'all might truly want information technology. And so just zoom out and drag the screen around to place the second betoken where you actually want it. This sounds kind of confusing, but you'll quickly get the hang of it once you attempt it out yourself.

When yous have the second point where you desire it, tap "Add Point" in the bottom-correct corner of the screen.

Continue dragging the screen around to motion the side by side bespeak to where you desire it and and so tap "Add together Point" again. Repeat this process until you're washed marking your path.

If at any time yous want to delete the last point yous made, you tin tap the Disengage push at the top.

You tin also tap on the ellipses push button, and and then hitting "Clear" to kickoff over completely.

As you go forth, you'll get a existent-time update on the total altitude you've marked. Unfortunately, the app doesn't show you the total area like desktop web interface does.

It's not perfect, and the spider web interface on a figurer is definitely easier to apply for marking altitude than the mobile app, but information technology should give you a pretty good estimate of the path's distance.

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