Measure Kit's AR tape measure uses the phone camera with ARKit on iPhone and ARCore on Android to measure a distance between two taps, a path of up to 30 points, or the area of a rectangle from three taps. It is included in Measure Kit Pro.
| Modes | Distance, path (up to 30 points), rectangle area |
|---|---|
| Technology | ARKit (iPhone, iPad) and ARCore (Android) |
| Saving | Measurement plus an AR photo, with notes |
| Cost | Included in Pro |
By Ship AI Lab. Last updated . Written from how the Measure Kit app actually behaves.
Three AR measuring modes
Distance is the simplest: tap a start point and an end point on a surface and the length is drawn between them. Path lets you tap up to 30 points in a row, so you can measure a curved wall, a cable run or the perimeter of a room and get the total length. Area asks for three taps that define a rectangle and returns both the width and the height and the area.
Labels follow your unit setting, so you see centimetres, metres, inches or feet, and square metres or square feet for area. Undo removes the last point and clear starts over.
How augmented reality measuring works
On iPhone and iPad the tool uses Apple's ARKit, and on Android it uses Google's ARCore. Both combine the camera image and the motion sensors to track the phone's position, find flat surfaces and place points in three-dimensional space. When the app has not found a surface yet it tells you to move the phone slowly until it does.
AR measuring needs a supported device. Measure Kit checks this when you open the tool and tells you plainly if your phone is not supported, instead of showing a broken camera view.
Save a photo with the measurement
When you save, Measure Kit can capture a photo of the AR view with the labels drawn on it. Saved measurements carry the photo, so "the wall by the window" is still obvious three weeks later when you are in a furniture shop.
How to take an AR measurement
- Open AR tape measure and allow the cameraPick distance, path or area before you start.
- Move the phone slowly over a surfaceWait until the cursor appears. Good light and a textured surface help tracking.
- Tap to place pointsTwo for distance, up to 30 for a path, three for a rectangle area.
- Save the measurementAdd a note in History, keep the AR photo and export it later if you need it.
When AR measuring beats a tape
Will it fit?
Check a sofa, desk or appliance against the space before you buy.
Room and wall sizes
Get quick dimensions for paint, flooring or curtains.
Long or awkward distances
Measure across a garden, a doorway or something you cannot reach with a tape.
Floor area estimates
Use the area mode for a rug, a patio or a shelf footprint.
How accurate is AR measuring?
- AR measurements are approximate and depend on lighting, surface texture and how steadily you move. Expect errors of a centimetre or more over short distances and more over long ones.
- Shiny, plain white or transparent surfaces can confuse tracking. Move to a textured spot or add something with an edge.
- Use a physical tape or a laser measure for anything that must be exact, such as cutting materials.
AR tape measure questions, answered
Is the AR tape measure free?
It is included in Measure Kit Pro, along with the magnetic field detector, unlimited history and export. The ruler, level, compass, protractor and decibel meter are free.
Which phones support it?
iPhones and iPads with ARKit and Android phones with ARCore. The app checks support when you open the tool.
How accurate is it?
Good enough for planning and comparisons, but not for precision work. Measure twice and keep a margin.
Can I measure the area of a room?
Area mode measures a rectangle from three taps. For irregular rooms, use path mode for the perimeter.
Does it work in the dark?
Poorly. AR tracking needs enough light to see the surface.