Measure with MapMaker

Measure distance

You'll start by using the Measure tool to explore the distance between places. Measuring distance is an important first step for pilots and airline staff to plan how much fuel they need to carry to reach their destination. Drone pilots also need to measure distances to make sure they're staying within range of their remote control.

Open MapMaker.
Pan and zoom the map so you can see the contiguous United States.
On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click the Basemaps button.
In the Basemaps pane, choose the Imagery (labels) basemap.
Close the Basemaps pane.
On the toolbar, click the Measure button and choose Measure.
There are two tools for measuring, Measure and Elevation Profile. The Measure tool calculates distance, while the Elevation Profile tool calculates height.
The Measure pane opens. From this pane, you can measure a line from place to place, an area, or find a location's coordinates. Measuring from place to place is selected by default.
Click the map by Los Angeles, California, to add a point. Move your cursor to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and double-click to end the measurement.
The line measuring from the west to the east coast of the United States is curved, not straight. This is because the Earth is round.
You can also change the units of measure.
On the Measure pane, for Unit, click Imperial and choose Kilometers.
The measurement is close to 3,900 kilometers.
On the map, zoom out until you can see both North America and South America.
In the Measure pane, click New measurement.
Measure the distance from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Vancouver, Canada, double-click to end the measurement.
The measurement is close to 11,000 kilometers.

Measure area

Another important part of planning a flight path is avoiding restricted airspace, or no-fly zones that are established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other government and tribal entities. These zones can be established over a variety of locations like government buildings, historic and religious sites, military bases, and event venues. For example, if you've ever visited a national park or monument, you may have noticed signs prohibiting people from flying their drones around the site. These areas are marked on flight maps, and there are consequences for flying through them. Next, you'll measure the area of Independence Mall in Philadelphia, where the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are located. This area is one of several no-fly zones in the city.

In the upper left corner of the map, click the Open search tool. For Find address or place, type Independence Mall, Philadelphia and press Enter.
Close the Search result pop-up. Zoom and pan the map until you can see the green park space between Race St to the north and Walnut Street to the south.
According to the FAA, the L-shaped parkway between Race Street to the north and Walnut Street to the south and between 6th Street to the west and 3rd Street to the east is restricted.
On the measure pane, click the Measure area button.
On the map, click the corner of 6th and Race Streets.
Moving clockwise, click each of the corners surrounding the park, double-clicking the last corner to end the measurement.
On the measure pane, use the drop-down menu to change the units to Acres.
This restricted area is approximately 36 acres.
Close the Measure pane.

Measure in 3D

You can also measure objects in 3D. Like the 2D measurement tools, you can measure distance and area. In 3D, you can also measure an additional dimension, height. Measuring in 3D is a good way of exploring the terrain of an area. Different types of terrain can have different effects on air flow and wind patterns, which are important to account for in flight planning. In this section, you'll measure the area around Mount Aconcagua, Argentina to gain an understanding of the terrain.

Refresh your browser.
On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click the 3D button.
The map becomes a globe, adding elevation details to the landscape.
Search for and navigate to Mount Aconcagua, Argentina, the highest point in South America.
Close the Search result pop-up.
On the toolbar on the left side of the screen, click Toggle to pan or rotate in 3D so the pan tool is selected.
On the map, click and hold the right mouse button to tilt the map to better see the peak of Mount Aconcagua. Zoom in as needed.
On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click the Measure button and click the Measure tool.
The Measure pane appears.
On the map, move your cursor up to the mountain peak and back down.
An orange line follows your cursor. The line crosses valleys and spans additional mountain peaks. This is a dynamic contour line. Every point along the line has the same elevation. As you move your cursor toward the top of the mountain, the line focuses only on the peak, which is the highest point in the area.
On the map, click a valley. Double-click the peak of Mt. Aconcagua to end the measurement.
This measurement shows you the distance to the peak and the elevation from the first to the second point.
This tool can also be used to measure the height of buildings.
Search for and navigate to the Washington Monument.
On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click the Basemaps button.
In the Basemaps pane, click 3D Buildings.
Close the Basemaps pane.
Use what you've learned to measure from the base of the monument to the top.
Approximately how tall is the Washington Monument?
Close the Measure pane.