Top 7 Planimeter Apps and Tools for Mapping and Land MeasurementAccurate area measurement is central to surveying, land management, architecture, environmental science, and many DIY projects. A planimeter—whether a traditional mechanical instrument or a modern app—lets you measure area from maps, aerial images, or plans quickly and with good precision. Below are seven top planimeter apps and tools (both mobile and desktop), how they work, their strengths and limitations, and tips for choosing the right one for your needs.
1. Planimeter — GPS Area Measure (Android & iOS)
Overview: A popular mobile app that combines GPS tracking with on-screen planimeter-style area measurement. Users can draw polygons on a live map, import KML/GPX, or walk the boundary while the app records the track.
Key features:
- Real-time GPS-based area and perimeter calculation.
- Manual polygon drawing on maps with snapping and vertex editing.
- Export/import support: KML, GPX, CSV.
- Unit options (meters, feet, acres, hectares).
Strengths:
- Easy for field work—walk a boundary and get instant area estimates.
- Good for quick measurements and export to common GIS formats.
Limitations:
- GPS accuracy depends on phone hardware and environment (trees, buildings).
- Not suitable for high-precision cadastral surveys requiring centimeter accuracy.
Best for: Farmers, landscapers, property buyers, and small-scale survey tasks where convenience matters more than sub-meter accuracy.
2. Planimeter — Measure Map (iOS)
Overview: An iOS-focused app that provides a smooth touch-based planimeter experience on Apple devices. It supports offline maps and has measurement customization options.
Key features:
- High-resolution satellite and hybrid maps.
- Touch drawing with undo/redo, vertex fine-tuning.
- Area/perimeter display in numerous units; coordinate readout.
- File export: KML, GPX, and PNG snapshots.
Strengths:
- Polished UI and good handling of touch gestures for precise polygon creation.
- Offline map support for remote sites.
Limitations:
- Paid features behind in-app purchases.
- Like other mobile apps, limited by underlying map imagery accuracy for true-legal measurements.
Best for: iPhone/iPad users who want a native, touch-optimized interface for map-based area measurement.
3. MapMeasure / GeoMeasure (Android variants)
Overview: Several Android apps under names like MapMeasure or GeoMeasure provide drawing-based area measurement and route tracking. They typically emphasize flexibility and multiple export options.
Key features:
- Polygon and polyline drawing on Google Maps tiles.
- GPS recording and import of coordinate files.
- Measurement history, sharing, and export to KML/CSV.
Strengths:
- Often free or low-cost with robust export features.
- Useful for quick multi-format data exchange with GIS tools.
Limitations:
- UI quality varies between apps; choose a well-reviewed variant.
- Some lack advanced snapping or precision tools.
Best for: Users needing straightforward, low-cost measurement tools with GPS and export capabilities.
4. QGIS with the Area Tool / Digitizing Tools (Desktop; Windows/Mac/Linux)
Overview: QGIS is a free, open-source desktop GIS that provides precise digitizing and measurement capabilities far beyond consumer planimeter apps. Drawing polygons over high-resolution imagery or georeferenced plans yields accurate area calculations when correct coordinate reference systems (CRS) are used.
Key features:
- Highly accurate area/perimeter calculation using appropriate CRS and ellipsoid.
- Advanced digitizing tools: snapping, tracing, topology checks.
- Full support for shapefiles, GeoJSON, KML, raster imagery, and coordinate reprojection.
- Plugins for parcel mapping, cadastral workflows, and automation.
Strengths:
- Superior precision when used correctly; suitable for professional workflows.
- Extensible and free; integrates with many data sources and remote sensing layers.
Limitations:
- Steeper learning curve compared with mobile apps.
- Requires georeferenced imagery or accurate map tiles for real-world accuracy.
Best for: Surveyors, GIS professionals, municipal planners, and anyone who needs reproducible, high-accuracy area measurements and robust geospatial workflows.
5. ArcGIS Online / ArcGIS Field Maps (Esri ecosystem)
Overview: ArcGIS provides cloud and mobile solutions for measurement, mapping, and field data collection. ArcGIS Field Maps and ArcGIS Online include tools to draw and measure areas, capture boundaries, and integrate with enterprise GIS databases.
Key features:
- Professional-grade data capture with attribute forms and integration to ArcGIS Enterprise/Online.
- Offline map use, high-accuracy GPS support (external GNSS receivers).
- Precise area calculations using chosen CRS and geodetic methods.
- Robust sharing, versioning, and collaboration for teams.
Strengths:
- Enterprise features, scalable workflows, and support for cm-level GNSS when configured.
- Strong support and integration with many spatial analysis tools.
Limitations:
- Licensing cost; more complexity to set up.
- Overkill for casual users or single measurements.
Best for: Organizations requiring coordinated field-data collection, integration with enterprise GIS, and high-precision workflows.
6. Planimeter (Web tools & browser extensions)
Overview: Several browser-based planimeters let users upload images (scanned plans or aerial photos) and trace polygons to measure areas. These web tools often include calibration features: link a known distance on the image to map pixel units.
Key features:
- Upload and calibrate images (use a known scale or reference object).
- Trace boundaries with mouse; area displayed instantly.
- Export results as images or simple data files.
Strengths:
- Useful for scanned drawings, architectural plans, or aerial photos where map tiles aren’t used.
- No installation; cross-platform.
Limitations:
- Accuracy depends on calibration quality and image distortion.
- Lacks advanced GIS coordinate referencing unless paired with georeferencing steps.
Best for: Architects, historians, or engineers working from scanned plans or non-georeferenced images.
7. Mobile GIS Apps with External GNSS Support (e.g., SW Maps, Locus Map with GNSS)
Overview: Apps that support external GNSS (RTK-capable receivers) bridge the convenience of mobile planimeters with professional accuracy. When paired with a Bluetooth RTK receiver, they can capture boundaries with centimeter-level precision.
Key features:
- Connect to external high-precision GNSS (RTK/PPK) receivers via Bluetooth.
- Field digitizing, coordinate capture, and real-time correction sources (NTRIP).
- Export in GIS formats and compatibility with desktop workflows.
Strengths:
- High accuracy suitable for cadastral, engineering, and construction tasks.
- Mobile convenience with professional geodetic reliability when configured properly.
Limitations:
- Requires investment in GNSS hardware and setup knowledge (base, rover, correction services).
- More complex to configure than consumer apps.
Best for: Survey teams and professionals who need field portability plus survey-grade accuracy.
How to Choose the Right Planimeter Tool
- Accuracy needs: For casual area estimation, a smartphone app is fine. For legal or engineering surveys, use QGIS/ArcGIS with georeferenced imagery or mobile apps with external GNSS (RTK).
- Data workflow: If you need GIS integration, choose QGIS or ArcGIS. For quick exports and sharing, mobile apps with KML/GPX support work well.
- Field vs. office: Use mobile apps or GNSS-enabled apps for field capture; use desktop GIS for detailed post-processing and mapping.
- Budget: Free options (QGIS, some mobile apps) exist; enterprise tools and GNSS hardware cost more but provide much higher precision and support.
Tips for Improving Measurement Accuracy
- Use high-resolution, recent imagery or a scanned plan with a reliable scale.
- Calibrate images when using web or image-based planimeters (use a known-length feature).
- In the field, improve GPS accuracy by using an external GNSS receiver or waiting for strong satellite geometry; avoid dense canopy or canyon-like environments.
- Always check and set the correct coordinate reference system and units in desktop GIS.
- For legal/contractual work, document methods, devices, and expected uncertainty.
Quick Comparison
| Tool type | Typical accuracy | Strength | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile planimeter apps (GPS) | ~3–10+ m (phone GPS) | Convenience | Quick field estimates |
| Mobile + external GNSS | cm–dm | Portability + precision | Professional field surveys |
| Web image planimeters | Depends on calibration | Works with scanned plans | Architects/legacy drawings |
| QGIS (desktop) | High (with georeferenced data) | Precision & workflows | Professional GIS/survey work |
| ArcGIS (enterprise) | High (with GNSS) | Collaboration & integration | Organizations & large projects |
If you’d like, I can:
- Recommend specific app names and links for Android or iOS based on your platform.
- Walk through a step-by-step example measuring an area from a satellite image in one of these tools.
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