How to Use the Area Measurement Tool

Whether you're measuring road frontage, calculating total acreage, or mapping out potential subdivides, understanding the exact dimensions of a property is critical for making informed investment decisions. 

That's why we added the Area Measurement Tool to Land Portal, an intuitive, easy-to-use feature built right into the map interface.

With just a few clicks, you can now measure distances and areas directly on the map, helping you verify property details, plan development, and visualize how land can be split.

This tool is perfect for land investors who need fast and accurate measurements without switching between multiple platforms or using external apps.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to use the Area Measurement Tool step-by-step.

Step 1: Open the Map Interface

To get started, log into Land Portal.

Once the map loads, zoom in to an area to see county boundaries appear. 

For this example, we are going to look at a property in Highland County, Ohio.

Select a parcel on the map or use the search function at the top to pull up a property you are wanting to measure.

Step 2: Locate the Area Measurement Tool

In the bottom right corner of the map, click on the small ruler icon to open the Area Measurement Tool.

You'll see two options:

  • Line Tool (for measuring distance)
  • Area Tool (for measuring square footage/acreage)

Step 3: Measure Distance (Line Tool)

Click on the Line Tool to begin measuring linear distances like road frontage or property perimeter.

  • Click once to start your line.
  • Click again to place additional points.
  • Press Enter OR Double-click when you’re done.
  • The total distance (in feet) will display on the map.

You can use this tool to measure: Road frontage, fence lines, any straight or curved distance.

Step 4: Measure Area (Area Tool)

To calculate square footage or acreage, select the Area Tool.

  • Click to begin outlining a section of land.
  • Continue clicking around the boundary of the area you want to measure.
  • Close the shape by clicking back at the starting point.

Press Enter to complete.

The map will display both:

  • Square footage & Acreage of the selected area

This tool is helpful for: Verifying parcel size, planning subdivides or measuring landlocked portions of a property.

Step 5: Create Subdivisions

You can also use the Area Tool to map out and design potential subdivisions.

Use the tool to draw out multiple areas within a larger parcel.

Each shape will display its own square footage and acreage.

  • Get creative with lot shapes—including rectangles, flags, or L-shapes.

This tool is great for visualizing how to divide a larger property into smaller, buildable lots.

Final Tips

  • Combine the Line and Area tools for maximum flexibility.
  • Use this tool to double-check property records or assess development potential.
  • Save screenshots or export the map with your custom overlays.

The Area Measurement Tool is powerful, flexible, and easy to use.

It’s a great feature to support both due diligence and planning for your land deals.


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