Measure tools
Many engineering and architecture diagrams which are frequently exported to PDF.
PDF Pro includes measurement tools, which can be useful when needing to quickly check a measurement,
Accessing Measurement Tools
- Navigate to the Home tab.
- In the ribbon on the Measure section, you will find options such as Distance, Perimeter, and Area. You can also enable Show ruler and Show grid, and toggle Snap to grid.
Description of tools
- Distance: Measures the straight line distance between two points.
- Perimeter: Measures the total length around a shape.
- Area: Calculates the area within a defined shape.
- Show ruler: Displays a ruler on the document to help with manual measurements.
- Show grid: Displays a grid overlay on the document.
- Snap to grid: Snaps measurement tools to the grid lines for more precise placement.

Setting Measurement Units
From the Preferences Menu
- Open Preferences:
- Go to the FILE menu > Select Preferences.
- Set Measurement Units:
- In the General tab
- Locate the Measure units dropdown.
- Choose your preferred units from the dropdown menu.
The following measurements units are available:
- Inches
- Points
- Millimeters
- Centimeters
After you select your preferred unit, it will be set, and you will be ready to start using it.
From the Ruler Directly
Right-click on the ruler to change the measurement unit. This will change the measurement units for the entire document. The next time you use it, the measurements will be in the new units.

Using the measurement tools
To stop using the measuring tool, press the ESC key or select the Hand or Select menu choice.
Press Ctrl + Z to undo your last action.
Measurement Settings
When you select any of the Measure Options - Distance, Perimeter or Area, (see below) the Scale Ratio settings menu will be displayed.
The Scale Ratio settings are displayed.

You can now match the Scale Ratio to the drawings scale settings. The drawing in this example shows 1/4" (quarter inch) to 1 Foot. Enter the numerical value for the first part of the scale. In this example the ratio on the drawing is in Inches to Feet
Next select the Ratio Scale for the Feet. Select the units required from the pull-down menu. In this example it is Feet. The value is 1 Foot.

The Scale Ratio is now set for the Drawing that is being viewed. To change the settings, the Reset button can be pressed or new values can be entered depending on the requirements needed.
Distance
When the Distance tool is selected, the values box will be displayed in the corner.
NOTE: ΔX / ΔY represent the horizontal and vertical distances between the start and end points of the measurement.
ΔX shows how far left or right the measurement goes. ΔY shows how far up or down it goes.
ΔY may be negative when the measurement goes upward. This is normal, because on a screen the starting point is at the top-left, and values increase as you move downward.
To use the Distance Tool
- Click on the distance tool.
- Left-click to mark the initial position.
- Move the mouse to the desired position and left-click again to finish defining the distance to be measured.
Tip: Hold down the SHIFT key to draw a straight line while moving your mouse.
To stop using the Distance tool, press the ESC key or select the Hand or Select menu choice.
Press Ctrl + Z to undo your last action.
Perimeter
When the Perimeter tool is selected, the values box will be displayed in the corner.
NOTE: ΔX / ΔY represent the horizontal and vertical distances between the start and end points of the measurement.
ΔX shows how far left or right the measurement goes. ΔY shows how far up or down it goes.
ΔY may be negative when the measurement goes upward. This is normal, because on a screen the starting point is at the top-left, and values increase as you move downward.

To use the Perimeter Tool
- Click on the Perimeter tool.
- Left-click to mark the initial position.
- Draw the perimeter to be measured by left-clicking on the desired positions.
- Finish by double-clicking the left mouse button to conclude the marking of the perimeter.
Tip: Hold down the SHIFT key to draw a straight line while moving your mouse.
To stop using the Perimeter tool, press the ESC key or select the Hand or Select menu choice.
Press Ctrl + Z to undo your last action.

Area
When the Area tool is selected, the values box will be displayed in the corner.
NOTE: ΔX / ΔY represent the horizontal and vertical distances between the start and end points of the measurement.
ΔX shows how far left or right the measurement goes. ΔY shows how far up or down it goes.
ΔY may be negative when the measurement goes upward. This is normal, because on a screen the starting point is at the top-left, and values increase as you move downward.

To use the Area Tool
- Click on the Area tool.
- Left-click to mark the initial position.
- Draw the areato be measured by left-clicking on the desired positions.
- Finish by double-clicking the left mouse button to conclude the marking of the area.
Tip: Hold down the SHIFT key to draw a straight line while moving your mouse.
To stop using the Area tool, press the ESC key or select the Hand or Select menu choice.
Press Ctrl + Z to undo your last action.

Ruler
- Click on Show Ruler to activate the ruler.
- Right-click on the ruler to change the measurement unit. This will change the measurement units for the entire document. The next time you use it, the measurements will be in the new units.
Grid Tool
The Grid Tool is an overlay which can help you align objects and text more accurately within your PDF. It overlays a grid on your document, making it easier to place elements with precision.
- Click on Show grid to display the grid on the PDF page.
- Click on Snap to grid to start the measuring point from a grid line.
