---
title: Measure tools
slug: measure-tools
icon: 🆕
docTags:
createdAt: 2024-06-06T18:39:31.845Z
---
Many engineering and architecture diagrams which are frequently exported to PDF.
**PDF Pro **includes measurement tools, which can be useful when you need to quickly check a measurement.
## Accessing Measurement Tools
1. Navigate to the **HOME** tab.
2. At the right end of the ribbon, in the **Measure** group, you will find **Distance**, **Perimeter**, and **Area**. Below them are three checkboxes: **Ruler**, **Grid**, and **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.
- **Ruler**: Displays a ruler on the document to help with manual measurements.
- **Grid**: Displays a grid overlay on the document.
- **Snap to grid**: Snaps measurement tools to the grid lines for more precise placement. Only available when Grid is checked.
## Setting Measurement Units
### From the Preferences Menu
1. **Open Preferences:**
- Go to the **FILE** menu > Select **Preferences**.
2. **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:
1. Inches
2. Points
3. Millimeters
4. 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.
::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/GcoyfTasRYQ7atUdr_M98/EtIdqzgx4UEorC2iKI_Ir_image.png" size="40" isUploading="false" width="384" height="423" darkWidth="384" darkHeight="423" position="flex-start" alt="Right Click on the ruler" showCaption="false"}
## Using the measurement tools
:::hint{type="info"}
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 **Distance**, **Perimeter**, or **Area**, a settings panel opens on the right side of the window (for example, **Distance Settings**). To close it, click the X at the top of the panel.
The panel has two sections:
- **Scale Ratio**: Match this to the scale of the drawing. Click **Reset **to return to the default 1 = 1 setting.
- **Appearance**: Choose the **Color** and **Thickness** of the measurement line.
### Setting the Scale Ratio
You can match the Scale Ratio to the drawing's scale. The drawing in this example is a sample floor plan. Its scale note reads 1/4" = 1'-0", which means 1/4 inch on the page is 1 foot in real life.
The Scale Ratio has two boxes with an equals sign between them. Each box has a number and a unit.
In the left box, enter the numerical value for the first part of the scale. In this example, enter 0.25 and choose inches from the unit dropdown.
In the right box, enter 1 and choose feet from the unit dropdown.
The Scale Ratio is now set for the drawing you are viewing. To change the settings, click **Reset **or enter new values.
## Distance
When the **Distance** tool is selected, a **Distance Tool** card at the bottom of the panel shows the measurement values: **Distance**, **Angle**, **ΔX**, and **ΔY**.
::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/GcoyfTasRYQ7atUdr_M98/EH6MmUgxT9qdyilg4scRi-20260203-034630.png" size="40" width="337" height="215" position="flex-start" caption="Distance Tool value box" alt="Distance Tool value box" darkWidth="337" darkHeight="215" showCaption="true"}
:::hint{type="info"}
**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
1. Click on the **Distance** tool.
2. Left-click to mark the initial position.
3. Move the mouse to the desired position and left-click again to finish defining the distance to be measured.
:::hint{type="info"}
**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, a **Perimeter Tool** card shows **Distance**, **Perimeter**, **Angle**, **ΔX**, and **ΔY**.
::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/GcoyfTasRYQ7atUdr_M98/KWzXNYuVQ6iVSDIztCJFA-20260203-035142.png" size="40" width="330" height="200" position="flex-start" caption="Perimeter Tool value box" alt="Perimeter Tool value box" darkWidth="330" darkHeight="200" showCaption="true"}
:::hint{type="info"}
**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
1. Click on the Perimeter tool.
2. Left-click to mark the initial position.
3. Draw the perimeter to be measured by left-clicking on the desired positions.
4. Finish by double-clicking the left mouse button to conclude the marking of the perimeter.
:::hint{type="info"}
**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, an **Area Tool** card shows **Distance**, **Area**, **Angle**, **ΔX**, and **ΔY**.
::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/GcoyfTasRYQ7atUdr_M98/4pveymbJNCRxEJC_yJDjU-20260203-035333.png" size="50" width="335" height="214" position="flex-start" caption="Area Tool value box" alt="Area Tool value box" darkWidth="335" darkHeight="214" showCaption="true"}
:::hint{type="info"}
**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
1. Click on the Area tool.
2. Left-click to mark the initial position.
3. Draw the area to be measured by left-clicking on the desired positions.
4. Finish by double-clicking the left mouse button to conclude the marking of the area.
:::hint{type="info"}
**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
1. Select the **Ruler** checkbox to show the ruler.
2. 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.
::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/GcoyfTasRYQ7atUdr_M98/37VvFaYxUMOtnBp84uK1x_image.png" size="40" isUploading="false" width="384" height="423" darkWidth="384" darkHeight="423" position="flex-start" alt="Right Click on the ruler" showCaption="false"}
## 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.
- Select the **Grid** checkbox to display the grid on the PDF page.
- Select the **Snap to grid** checkbox to start the measuring point from a grid line.
