How to measure distances and objects with the mobile camera

Our mobile is used for a large number of functions but sometimes the simplest ones are neglected. One of its most useful and simple uses is to measure distances with the camera or mobile screen. Just take your mobile, point the camera at the object you want to measure and the app will tell you how many centimeters or meters it occupies or is high.

Equivalently, we can also install ruler apps for android which allow us to use the device as a small ruler. Very useful for measuring small objects, since in this case the size of the mobile will be a limiting factor. Here we leave you with different methods to measure objects with your mobile, from the most modern ones that use ARCore augmented reality to the most basic ones that work on any type of mobile.

ARuler: measuring objects with augmented reality

We start this small tutorial to measure objects with one of the most powerful applications. Here is ARuler, an application that, thanks to augmented reality, allows us to measure distances, angles, areas and volumes of any object that we focus on with the camera.

The only requirement is leave the object still on the table or surface and by means of the mobile we will mark the points. The result is quite precise, what happens is that it is not so easy to manipulate.

To be able to use it, you will need a mobile compatible with augmented reality. At the moment it is limited to Google Pixel, Galaxy S9, S8, S7, OnePlus 5 or Huawei P20, but over the next few months it will reach more models. ARruler is completely free and represents the future of mobile measurement tools.

Telemetro: Smart Measure

The next app to measure is Smart Measure Rangefinder, a tool that allows know the distance to an object and its heightusing basic trigonometry.

You have to place the camera at a certain height, press to mark a mark and then move the mobile so that from the angle the distance traveled is determined. The result is generally correct, although difficult to calibrate, as a small movement can cause a fairly large variation in distance.

We recommend Smart Measure for outdoors and long distances. It is a free application although it contains quite a lot of advertisements. The full version which includes all the tools is priced at 2.99 dollars, although its basic functions are free.

measure and align

Another tool that uses the mobile camera to measure distances is Measure and Align – 3D Plumb. Although it is not as complete as others, it works in the same way as the previous one by choosing a point and depending on the angle it determines the distance.

In 3D Plumb we can check if an object is entirely vertical or horizontal. It also allows us to know the length and width of an object and generally to have a frame of reference about the size of that point that we are focusing on with the camera.

Rules for Android: how to measure with the screen

If you want to measure small objects, nothing is easier and simpler than ruler apps for Android. The screen of our mobile will be divided into several lines representing a ruler and we can mark a specific position by means of keys.

Son lightweight and very well-designed apps. Some are very simple, others, for example, have two axes, ideal for measuring a coin, for example, and others are a toolbox where the ruler is just one of its many functions.

Mobile can be toolbox with a lot of potential. Sometimes you just need to know how to use what at all times. We hope you find these apps useful and that you can have a ruler handy in case you need it.