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World Note

Ruler and scale

The ruler tool (L) measures distances on the map. Lines connect the points you click, with the distance shown per segment.

Measuring the distance between two continents with the ruler tool. Segment distances and the total show in km, with the options above the toolbar.

ActionWhat it does
ClickAdds a point. Keep clicking to extend the line.
DragDraws one segment in a single drag.
Drag a pointMoves a placed point. Distances recalculate.
Enter or double-clickEnds the current line. The next click starts a new one.
BackspaceRemoves the last point of the line being drawn.

With the ruler tool selected, the options appear above the toolbar. Turn on the eraser and click a point or line to delete it, or use Clear all to wipe everything at once.

Measurements stay around when you switch tools and show again when you return to the ruler. They are not saved to the file.

The Set scale button in the options sets the map’s real-world size.

The map scale popup, with a field for the map's width in km and an apply button.

Enter how many kilometers wide the map really is, and the ruler shows distances in km. Without a scale, distances show in internal units.