MeasureMeasure

Measure distances and areas without adding features to the map.

The Measure tool overlays a temporary path on the map and displays a running total of its distance or enclosed area. Measurements are not added to the feature collection — they are a separate, non-exportable layer. Multiple completed measurements can coexist on the map at the same time.

Activating MeasureActivating Measure

Press M (default key, configurable) or click the ruler icon in the floating toolbar. The cursor changes to indicate measurement mode is active.

Measuring distanceMeasuring distance

1. Select Measure distance (the default) in the active toolbar.
2. Click the map to place the first point.
3. Continue clicking to add waypoints. The running total updates after each click, showing the cumulative straight-line distance.
4. Double-click or press Enter to finish the measurement. The path is locked in place as a completed measurement.

Measuring areaMeasuring area

1. Select Measure area in the active toolbar.
2. Click to place points, building a closed shape. The enclosed area updates live.
3. Double-click or press Enter to close and lock the measurement.

Managing measurementsManaging measurements

Completed measurements persist as overlays until you remove them. Each measurement has a delete button visible on hover or selection. Removing a measurement does not affect the feature collection.

Multiple measurements can be active simultaneously — finish one, press M again, and start another.

Creating or removing a measurement participates in the editor's undo history: Cmd/Ctrl+Z reverses the last action whether it was a feature edit or a measurement, and Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Z redoes it. The two timelines are unified — measurements ride alongside feature edits on the same 25-step stack.

UnitsUnits

Measurement results follow the units setting in ElementEditorConfig:

<ElementEditor
  config={{
    units: {
      length: 'metric',   // or 'imperial' or 'auto'
      area: 'metric',
      display: 'human',   // "1.2 km" — use 'raw' for "1234.56 m"
    },
  }}
/>

In 'auto' mode, Element Editor picks metric or imperial based on the browser locale.

ConstraintsConstraints

• Measure works in both readonly and edit modes.
• Measurements are not included in onChange output or any export.
• Pressing Escape during an active measurement cancels the in-progress path without saving it.