Measuring distances and areas

You use the measure tool to measure the distance and areas of lines and polygons, and to obtain the coordinates of a feature. When you use the measuring tools, you select the feature you want to measure and the units of measurement.

To measure lengths and areas of features, lines, and polygons:

  1. On the Map tab, display the area that contains the features that you want to measure.

  2. On the Map toolbar, click Measure .

  3. In the Measure window, to view the coordinates of a feature, click Measure a Feature .

  1. Click the feature on the map. The system displays the coordinates of the feature in the dialog box.

  1. To measure a line click Measure a Line .

  1. Click the starting point of the line and double-click at the end point. If the line curves, click at each vertex of the line. The system displays the distance in the window. You can select the units of measure from the drop-down list.

  1. To measure the perimeter and area of a polygon click Measure a Polygon .

  1. Click the starting point of the polygon, and click at each vertex. Complete the polygon with a double-click at the last vertex. The system displays the perimeter and area. You can select the units of measure from the drop-down lists.

  1. Close or collapse the window when you have completed the measurements.