How to use the Measure app on iPhone and iPad

In this tutorial, we will show you how to measure objects, people’s height, areas, and more using the built-in Measure app on your iPhone or iPad.

How to use Measure app

Apple’s Measure app uses AR (augmented reality) to measure things in your physical space. This handy tool lets you know the length and area of objects and spaces on-the-go or when you don’t have your toolbox with you. You can also take screenshots of your measurements or copy them to the clipboard for reference.

Note that the Measure app on iPhone (not iPad) also has the Level tool, and you can learn about it in our separate tutorial.

Before you begin

While the Measure app works on iPhone 6S and later, the models with a LiDAR scanner let you measure quickly and accurately. LiDAR scanner is present on Pro models of iPhone 12 and later. On the iPad side, it’s on iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) and later & iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) and later.

However, note that even if your device has a LiDAR scanner, Apple says that the measurements are not precise but only approximate.

Use the Measure tool

Make sure the object you want to measure is in a spot with decent lighting. Then, follow these steps to measure an object from point to point.

  1. Open the Measure app on your iPhone or iPad. Make sure you’re in the Measure tab of the iPhone app.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to move your device until a dot appears on the screen. The dot will be inside two semi-circles.
  3. Now, move your device accordingly so that the dot is at the starting point of the thing you want to measure. Once you have placed the dot at the starting point at the edge of the object, tap the plus button.
  4. Slowly move your device to the other edge of the object you are measuring.
  5. Tap the Plus sign once more to add the ending point and see the measurement.
Measuring using Measure app on iPhone

Even after adding the end point, you can touch the starting and ending dots with your finger and drag them to change it and see the new measurement in real-time.

Additionally, you can take multiple measurements by moving the iPhone and using the plus button to place the dot in a new location. However, remember to connect all new additional measurements somewhere along an existing measurement, or else the previous measurements will be replaced by the most recent one.

Taking multiple measurements using Measure app on iPhone

Take a screenshot, copy the measurement, convert the data, or see the history

Finish measuring by identifying the start and end points as mentioned above.

Options in Measure app on iPhone

After that, you can do the following:

  • Screenshot: Tap the shutter button to grab a screenshot with the object and measurement. The screenshot is saved to the Photos app.
  • Copy: Tap the final measurement, and a small pop-up will appear, giving you the option to copy it.
  • Convert to another unit: Tapping the final measurement also shows the measurement in another unit (inches and centimeters).
  • History: Tap the list button to see all the measurements you have taken during the current session. You can copy one or clear everything. Note that the history will auto-clear if you close the session or force quit the app.

Measure a square or rectangle

The Measure app can also automatically detect rectangular objects and give you their dimensions and areas.

  1. Point the Measure app over a rectangle.
  2. Give it a moment to automatically recognize the rectangle, and then you will see a dotted outline. Tap the plus button now to see the measurements for that object’s width and length.
  3. If you do not fidget much, you will also notice the area (in square inches or square meters) in the middle of the object. Tap it to see the measurements comfortably, including the diagonal length.
See dimensions of rectangle object using Measure app on iPhone

Measure a person’s height

The Measure app on Pro iPhone and iPad, with a LiDAR Scanner, can automatically detect a person when one appears in its viewfinder and calculate their height.

To do that, just point the Measure app toward a person in a well-lit environment with no dark backgrounds and reflective surfaces. Also, make sure the person is not covering their face or head with a hat, face mask, sunglasses, and such.

You will see their height next to their head.

Measuring a person's height using iPhone

Change the measurement units

The Measure app offers measurement units in either Imperial or Metric, and it’s simple to change.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Scroll down and tap Measure.
  3. Select either Imperial or Metric under the Measure Units section.
Change Measure Units in iPhone settings

You never know when you might need to capture a quick measurement or make sure something is level. So, this convenient Measure app is nice to have.

On a related note: How to use your iPhone or iPad as a magnifying glass