Your ADS
Use a Ruler, or Curvimeter, or Even Google Maps Distance Calculator.
If you want to calculate the real world distance of a route, you need first to measure the equivalent distance on the map. This step is simple if the route is a straight line between two points. All you need to do is to measure the distance with a ruler. If you don't have a ruler, bear in mind that usually there are inscribed rulers in the base plates of orienteering compasses. Another way is to use drawn grid lines across the maps as measuring tool. The grid lines form an array of identical squares with sides of a specific length. After figuring out the dimensions of one square, the grid effectively becomes a ruler. For more complex routes, divide your route into straight-line segments and measure the distance of each segment one by one. Simply add the length of all segments to calculate the total length of the route.
What if you want to measure a curved path? You ask. Well, you can use a string and put it down along the route. Pinch the string with your finger at the end points of the route then pull the string tight. Measure the length of the string using ruler, or across grid square, and now you can read off the distance. If your map has a bar scale, you can directly know the real world distance by placing the string on the bar scale.
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| Curvimeter in Use |
As a better alternative to measure the distance, you may also use a Curvimeter, a map wheel. It is easier to use even if you are a beginner on reading map, you just set the counter to zero and then roll the wheel along the route and you’re done. The Curvimenter will show the accumulated distance. Pay attention to the units as the curvimeter can either directly display real world distances for maps of certain scales, or just show the actual distance on the map.