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Top 7 PDF Measuring Tools to Accurately Measure Distance, Area, and More in 2024

Art students and architects may need to know the dimensions of the objects present in the PDF file. Especially when they convert a CAD file into a PDF document, these professionals need a suitable PDF measuring tool to annotate different measurements on the file. If you're one of these architects looking to display dimension data in PDF form, we have some of the best PDF ruler tools for you.

In this article, we will help you add measurements to your PDF documents. While doing so, we will also try to familiarize you with some of the best PDF measurement software available in the market.

Top 7 PDF Measuring Tools to Measure in PDF

Now, we all know about the importance of PDF measuring tools for measuring the dimensions of objects. Most of the artists now use digital platforms to make their designs. Afterward, they can convert these designs into PDF format to add measurements to them. Let's analyze the features of all the best measuring tools available in the market to choose the best one for your needs.   

1. UPDF - No1. PDF Measurement Tool

The first PDF measuring tool here is UPDF. UPDF can do everything you need to measure in PDF. It can help you measure the distance between two objects, measure the perimeter and the area of an object, thus checking the design of demension in PDF. You can customize the scale ratio to help you understand the data in real objects. Moreover, it has one tool panel with details like Angle, X, Y, Scale Ratio, etc to help you get accurate results. The great part is that you are allowed to change its properties like color, opacity, and thickness to make your measurement stand out.

It is very easy to use this PDF measuring tool. You only need to click the UPDF free download button below to install this software on your computer, open PDF with UPDF, Click "Comment" at the left side panel, choose "Measurement Tools" at the top menu list, select "Distance", "Perimeter", or "Area" per your needs. For instance, if you want to measure the distance, you can click on it, and place your mouse on the start point and the end point. Once done, double-click to end the process. Now, you can see the distance result. You can change its properties by double-clicking on it.

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Except as a PDF measurement software, you can also use UPDF as a PDF editor and AI tool. Here are some key features it offers:

  • UPDF AI helps summarize PDFs, translate PDFs, Write PDFs, Rewrite PDFs, chat, etc.
  • PDF editing features allow you to edit existing text, images, and links or add new ones.
  • PDF annotating features can allow you to highlight, draw, add stickers, add stamps, and more to PDF files.
  • Compressing, protecting, and sharing PDF files.
  • OCR PDF can convert your image or scanned PDF into editable format.

UPDF has many other features, you can learn more about it by downloading the free trial version via the below button, checking this UPDF review article, or watch the below video tutorial.

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2. Adobe PDF Measuring Tool (Windows and Mac) 

Adobe Acrobat is one of the most trusted PDF managers in the world, allowing you to handle all PDF-related tasks with ease. It also has a pdf measuring tool to help art students measure the dimensions of their artworks present in PDF format. Moreover, you can also change the scaling ratio of the measurements on the drawings.

All you need to do is access the "Measure" tool from the "See All Tools" window to add measurements to your PDF. Afterward, you can select the "Measuring Tool" option to choose measurement types and snap types from the newly appeared menu. These measurement types in the Adobe Acrobat measure tool will help you determine the distance, parameter, and area of the objects in the PDF.

adobe acrobat pdf measuring tool

3. Cisdem PDF Measure Tool (Windows and Mac)

Cisdem is one of the best PDF measuring tools on Windows and Mac devices, helping users deal with PDF-related problems without issues. It provides you with a measuring tool to work with digital drawing in a better manner. Additionally, users have the option to customize the scale of measurement units. With the help of this PDF measuring software, you can measure the distance, rectangle area, and arc in the PDF drawings.

You just have to add the PDF on this tool and access the "Measurement" tool in the "Comment" tab. Afterward, you can select one from distance, parameter, and area measurement options to apply the function. Once you add the scale for your measurements, click anywhere in the PDF to start adding the measurement to the document.

cisdem pdf measuring tool

4. SwifDoo PDF Ruler (Windows)

SwifDoo PDF provides an excellent toolset to handle every PDF-related issue, including adding the measurements to the designs. The PDF measuring scale of this tool allows users to measure the dimensions within a few clicks. Anyone can estimate the distance, area, and parameters of the objects present in the PDF using this tool. Furthermore, you can also change the color of the added measurement scale with its annotation feature.

To measure dimensions in a PDF document, you first need to upload that document to SwifDoo PDF measurement software. Then, proceed to click on the "Annotate" tab to start adding measurement scales to the PDF. Afterward, hit the "Measure" drop-down icon to choose the desired tool according to your needs. Finally, start adding the dimensions to your designs using this tool.

swifdoo pdf measuring tool

5. Preview - Free PDF Measuring Tool (Mac)

Preview is an in-built PDF tool available on Mac devices, allowing you to handle PDF in an efficient manner. It is a free PDF measuring tool that helps users add dimensions to their PDFs. Moreover, anyone can measure distance using this tool by simply drawing the measuring unit you like. You can choose a measurement unit and see the dimensions of the media box using this tool.

If you want to take advantage of the PDF measuring tool, simply open the PDF document in the Preview app. Afterward, you can access the "Tool" tab and proceed to click on the "Show Inspector" feature. Following this, drag your mouse cursor to measure the dimensions in your PDF.

preview pdf measuring tool

6. FoxyUtils - PDF Measuring Tool Online

FoxyUtils has a collection of simple-to-use online tools to manage PDF documents with just a few clicks. Users can make use of this online best free PDF measuring software to conveniently measure the objects and images in the PDF. In addition, you can set the scaling settings to optimize the measurements added to the document. With the help of the "Measure PDF" feature, anyone can add dimensions to their PDF document.

All you have to do is first calibrate the document scaling with a known measurement unit. Proceed to enter the "Measure" tab and click on the "Distance" feature to begin the process. Now, drag the cursor and release the button to add length measurements. Moreover, you can use the "Areas" feature to calculate the selection area.

foxyutils pdf measuring tool

7. PDF Expert - Mac/iPhone/iPad PDF Measure Tool

PDF Expert is a go-to PDF tool for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users, helping them annotate and edit files effectively. This PDF measurement software can automatically detect the scaling of your drawing to help you measure the dimension of the design. The measurement process is as easy as adding a line in the PDF document. You can leave the rest of the job to this PDF tool for distance and area measurement.

To measure distance with the help of this tool, first, you need to upload a PDF document. Once the document is uploaded, select the "Measure" tab and then click on the "Calibrate" tool to let the tool add scaling. Afterward, you can choose the "Distance" or "Area" options to measure these parameters with the help of this PDF tool.

pdf expert pdf measuring tool

Comparison Chart of the 7 PDF Measuring Tools

After going through all the features of these tools, you now have a clear idea about their work. All this information will help you choose the best PDF measuring tool for your needs. If you still haven't picked the most appropriate tool for you, analyze this comparison table to facilitate the selection.

PDF Measuring ToolProsConsPricing
UPDFEasy to Use
Only Cost 10% of Adobe Acrobat
AI Features Supported
Adding New Features Continously.
Although You Can Use All Features In The Free Version, You Will Have Watermark on the Exported PDF. UPDF Pro: $39.99/Year, $69.99/Perpetual
UPDF has bid discount now. You can check here>>.
Adobe AcrobatOne of the Oldest PDF Tools
Can Also Compare Old and New PDF Files
Pricing Plans are Not Affordable
Cannot Try Features Without Buying a Package 
Acrobat Pro: US$29.99 per month
Acrobat Standard: US$22.99 per month
CisdemSupports Batch Processing Feature for PDF Editing
View and Edit PDF Metadata 
Offers Limited PDF Editing Features
Most Advance Features Absent from Windows
Cisdem PDFMaster: US$59.99 per year
SwifDoo PDFSimple-to-Use Interface
Affordable Pricing
No Freemium Version Available
Slow Processing Speeds
Quarterly Plan: US$16 per month Perpetual Plan: US$103.2
PreviewFree-to-Use app
Diverse Annotation Features
Only Available on MacBooks
No PDF Editing Features
Free
FoxyUtilsAccessible Through Any Web Browser
Free Online Tool
Cannot Work Without Internet
Slow Processing
Monthly: US$5.99
Annual: US$35.88
Lifetime: US$99
PDF ExpertAutomatic Scaling
Yearly Plan also Supports iPhone and iPad
Not Available on Windows
High Pricing Plan
Yearly Plan: US$79.99
Lifetime Plan: US$139.99

Once you go through all the comparison points discussed in this table, you will be able to choose the best PDF measuring software for you. You have to keep the pricing plans and functionality of these tools in mind before making the choice. We highly recommend you to choose UPDF as its price is very cheap and it has many features like UPDF AI, editing PDF, converting PDF, and more. You can download UPDF via the below button to test all its features on your own.

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FAQs on PDF Measuring Tools

Q1. Is there a PDF measuring tool?

Yes, there are many PDF measurement software available in the market to cater to users' needs. Some of these PDF ruler tools are available offline, while others are online. A few of these tools are only restricted to Mac users, affecting their customer base. However, Adobe Acrobat is one tool that is available on both Windows and Mac to help users add dimensions to their documents.

Q2. What is the free PDF measuring tool?

Preview is a free PDF measuring tool available for Mac users for convenient PDF handling. MacBook users can take advantage of this built-in tool to measure the distance, area, and parameter of the objects present in the PDF. In addition to that, Windows users can take advantage of FoxyUtils online to add dimensions to the documents free of cost.

Q3. What is the best PDF measurement tool?

Adobe Acrobat measure tool has the best features to calculate the dimensions of the object in the PDF. With its feature-packed user interface, even beginners can make use of this PDF measuring tool to measure the distance and area of the images in the document. You get a range of options to choose from while measuring the dimensions with the help of Adobe Acrobat.

Conclusion:

All the PDF measuring tools introduced in this article are good enough to carry out measurement operations. However, most of them lack other PDF editing features to handle documents in routine life. UPDF is the best PDF measurement tool and PDF editor for such a situation with its cost-effective and multi-functional feature to manage PDFs. Download UPDF now to take advantage of this tool to edit, annotate, or convert PDF documents in an effective manner.

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