Logic, but in a different way

Daft Logic

Daft Logic > Projects > Google Maps Distance Calculator

Google Maps Distance Calculator

Last Updated 23rd May 2011

[Map Height : Small - Medium - Large]

Search For Location :

Use search result as a distance marker? Yes No

Total Distance Miles KM Nautical Miles Metres Feet Autopan ?

Description

You can use the Google Maps Distance Calculator to find out the distance between two or more points anywhere on the earth. In other words, the distance between A and B. Click once on the map to place the first marker and then click again to position the second marker. The distance between the points will then be displayed. You can also build up a series of locations to find a total distance.

An important feature of this tool is that is "as the crow flies", so traveling in real life will normally involve larger distances, but this may also help those who need to measure off-road distances.

How To Use

  1. Zoom and drag the map to find the location of marker 1
  2. Click to place marker 1.
  3. Zoom and drag the map to find the location of marker 2.
  4. Click to place marker 2.
  5. The distance will be displayed below the map in miles or kilometers. You can change between miles or km at any time.
  6. Add as many points as required and the distance will build up.
  7. You can also drag and drop markers after they have been put on the map

Note

All distances are estimations so Daft Logic does not accept any responsibility that may arise when the value reported is incorrect.

You can move the markers after they have been positioned so you can modify you route on the fly and see how the distance will be effected.

Options

How it Works

Clearly you, the user inputs two 'points' that are used to calculate the distance. Calculating the "As the Crow Flies" distance is a matter of using Great Circle formula. Then the main problem is converting the Google Map unit to miles and kilometers.

The map will also automatically save your route in your temporary internet cookies so that you can return and see the route as you last left it. If you ever need to start from scratch then use the [Clear Map] button.

Benchmark Tests

Map between New York and Paris
Map showing the estimated distance between New York and Paris. All references that can be found suggest that this is an accurate measurement.
Seven Mile Straight in Antrim
Map showing the Seven Mile Straight in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. This shows a reading of 6.910 miles.
Map between Belfast and Dublin
Map showing the distance between Belfast and Dublin. As far as I can see this is an accurate estimate (if there is such a thing). This trip would be approximately 100 miles by road so the proverbial crow would have less distance to travel.
Mary Peters Track in Belfast
Map showing the Mary Peters Track in South Belfast. The reading shows 0.394km which is clearly a reasonable measurement for an athletics track.

Relevant Links

Google Maps API

Further Uses and Ideas

Version History

Version 1 (29/12/2005) - The Beginning

Version 2 (19/01/2006)

Version 3 (15/06/2007)

Version 3.1 (25/09/2007)

Version 3.2 (01/10/2007)

Version 4 (20/01/2008)

Version 4.1 (21/02/2008)

Version 4.2 (10/06/2008)

Version 4.3 (20/10/2008)

Version 4.4 (17/12/2008)

Version 4.5 (04/01/2009)

Version 4.6 (28/09/2009)

Version 4.7 (06/10/2009)

Version 4.8 (08/10/2009)

Version 5.0 (31/07/2010)

Version 5.1 (02/08/2010)

Version 5.2 (09/08/2010)

Version 5.3 (12/08/2010) - You Are Here

Previous Comments For This Page

Very useful and easy to use. Thank you so much.
By suraj sigdel on 26/01/2012Theresa, please contact us directly about this.
By Daft Logic on 26/01/2012would there be a way we can do a circumference map? hmm, maybe that's not the way to explain it.....here it is, we're military, we are allowed to travel within 250 miles (as the crow of course) of our current installation, otherwise we need a pass. so i was just wondering if the was a way to map that out.
By Theresa on 26/01/2012very very good!
On 26/01/2012It would be great if you could also display the compass heading from starting point to end point.
By gbold on 25/01/2012How to tell the system my home location?
By petik on 25/01/2012i've finally found a site that helps in calculating my weekly running mileage
On 25/01/2012Really useful.. thanks. RobVer
By Rob V on 23/01/2012Thanks so much: How can we find coordinate of one point from google maps?
By M.Homayoon hemat on 23/01/2012HOW it does this? Thank you.
By Giorgi on 19/01/2012this is a first class service planning a charity bike ride cant wait to get started thankyou! ade
By adrain on 17/01/2012Sweet, works really well
By Armspark on 16/01/2012excellent service exactly what i was looking for, many thanks
By Andrew on 15/01/2012Muito bom o aplicativo, fácil de usar com boa precisão
By Carlos on 11/01/2012thanks a lot
By hassan of iran on 10/01/2012V NICE TY FOR THIS PROGRAM
By MrSpringy on 09/01/2012Thank you, this is an excellent resource. I have just nicely disproved a small historical 'fact' with your help.
By Stephen Gard on 09/01/2012Spain - Italian spring'12 tour
By Denis on 08/01/2012Hi, you can save the map if you use the Advanced Google Maps Distance Calculator.
By Daft Logic on 07/01/2012that's fantastic! I wish i could save the map though.
On 07/01/2012Its great. Thx
By James on 05/01/2012How do I type in two addresses to find the distance between?
On 05/01/2012Muchas Gracias, Es muy util! Thanks, it's useful.
By Manuel VR. on 05/01/2012Hi Bill, there are no plans at the moment apart, perhaps, for a spring clean. We are always open to suggestions for new features or enhancements but would verge on the side of simplicity when possible.
By Daft Logic on 04/01/2012Brilliant!! Thank you! Trying to estimate road distance on Google Maps can be very difficult.
By cmg on 01/01/2012I totally love your App. I fly Powered Paragliding and with your tool I´m able to calculate my flying distance=) THANK YOU
By Michael on 31/12/2011To the members of this great app: I had a new years resolution of walking a total of 700 miles and I just completed that goal today. From the second trip all the way down to the last, I have used your program, prinscreened it onto MS paint, and a picture and uploaded to my facebook. I have use this program, because it helps me identify distances (for the most part I rounded down because I followed actual streets not the sidewalks) that helped me kept track of how far I've gone, I could not have done this with out your program. Thank you very much. If you are curious to see the 130 images I have used with your program in use logging the miles, please look up Jose Manuel Aviles Jr. on Facebook. The pictures are public. I've told people about your website and I hope this helps. Jose
By J Aviles Jr. on 30/12/2011Thanks for a great app :-) Appreciate all the work that went into it; helped me a lot with my training Cheers once again!
By Pete on 29/12/2011since you use great circle formula, it would be a good idea to add a "true course" box next to the distance box and the crow can fly from "A" to "B"
By tripplepit on 29/12/2011This is great, but I would like to enter two addresses for the two points. Thank you so much.
By Andy C on 28/12/2011

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