You can measure a floor plan without a scale ruler or CAD software, as long as the plan is drawn to scale and you know one real dimension on it. Set the scale from that dimension, then every other length and area follows. The free floor plan ruler does this in the browser with PDF, JPG and PNG plans.
What do you need before you start?
A plan that is drawn to scale and at least one dimension you trust. That can be a labelled wall length, a dimension line, or a scale bar. A plan marked “not to scale”, a photo of a plan taken at an angle, or an image that has been stretched will give wrong answers however carefully you measure.
Why can’t you just use the scale printed on the plan?
Because the printed scale, such as 1:100 at A3, only holds when the plan is printed at that paper size. On a screen, or as a PDF exported at a different size, the ratio changes. Calibrating from a dimension on the drawing itself works whatever the zoom or file size.
- 4 phone photosFrom the middle of each room
- UploadStitched to 360°
- Pin to floor planRooms in place
- ShareLink, embed, portals
How do you set the scale?
- Open the plan in the floor plan ruler. For a multi-page PDF, pick the sheet.
- Choose Set scale and click both ends of a dimension you know. Longer is better: a whole wall is more accurate than a door.
- Type the real length and its unit, such as 5.2 m or 17 ft.
- Check it. Measure a second labelled dimension, ideally running the other way. If it matches, the scale is good.
Do not guess the scale from a door or a bed. Doors and furniture vary, and a small error grows across a whole floor.
How do you measure a room’s area?
Choose Measure room and click each corner in order around the room, then finish the room. The tool works out the area of the shape you drew and its perimeter, using your scale. Rename it, such as “Bedroom 1”, and move on to the next room.
Where you click decides what you measure. Click the inside face of the walls for an internal area; click wall centres or outside faces if that is the standard you need. Be consistent across rooms.
How do you measure a single length?
Choose Measure length and click the two ends. Use it for wall lengths, window widths for blinds, or to check whether a sofa will fit an alcove.
What can you export?
A marked-up PNG of the plan with your outlines and labels, and a CSV of every measurement with its value, unit and perimeter. The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, so you can total rooms, add notes or paste areas into a listing. To add up rooms measured by hand instead, use the square footage calculator.
How accurate is measuring from a plan?
It depends on three things: how accurately the plan was drawn, how accurate your calibration dimension is, and how precisely you click. Zoom in when you place points. On a well-drawn architect’s plan, careful measurement is usually close enough for planning furniture, flooring or a quote. It is not a survey.
Do not use plan measurements as the official floor area in a listing, lease, valuation or legal document. Use a professional measurement to the standard your market follows; see how to calculate square footage for the main standards.
What are the common mistakes?
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Calibrating on a short dimension | Small click errors become large area errors | Use the longest labelled wall |
| Using a “not to scale” plan | Every number is wrong | Find a scaled plan, or measure on site |
| Photo of a printed plan | Perspective distorts lengths | Use the original PDF or a flat scan |
| Mixing internal and external faces | Rooms do not add up | Pick one and stay consistent |
| One scale for a sheet with enlarged details | Details measure wrong | Calibrate details separately |
Is my plan uploaded when I use the tool?
No. The plan opens and is measured in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, which matters when a plan belongs to a client or an unreleased development.
What can you do with the plan next?
A plan tells buyers how a home fits together; a visual shows them what it feels like. Splatr can turn plans into 3D models and photoreal renders for developments and design reviews, and in Virtual Studio a plan can anchor a 360° tour so visitors always know where they are.
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