Top 7 PDF Measuring Tools to Accurately Measure Distance, Area, and More in 2025

Art students, architects, engineers, and other design professionals often need to know the exact dimensions of objects within a PDF file. This is especially true when converting CAD drawings or design plans into PDF format. Whether you're measuring architectural layouts, engineering schematics, or design prototypes, having the right PDF measuring tool is essential.

These tools allow you to accurately annotate lengths, areas, angles, and more—directly within your PDF documents. From architects needing to review blueprints to graphic designers verifying print margins, precise measurement tools save time and ensure accuracy.

In this article, we’ll guide you through how to add measurements to your PDF files and introduce you to some of the most reliable and feature-rich PDF measurement tools available today.

Top 7 PDF Measuring Tools to Measure in PDF

Let’s dive into the top tools and compare their features to help you choose the best one for your specific needs. 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 (Win and Mac)

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. To have a detailed guide, you can read this post.

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 an editable format.

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

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 "Tools". 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.

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, the rectangle area, and the 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.

4. SwifDoo PDF Ruler (Windows)

SwifDoo PDF provides an excellent toolset to handle every PDF-related issue, including adding 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.

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.

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.

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 dimensions 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.

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.

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 button below to test all its features on your own.

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.