Outdoors / Maps
Map Scale Calculator: Map Distance to Real Distance
Convert a distance measured on a map into the real distance, or a real distance into how long it is on the map, for any scale, with a table of what 1 cm and 1 km mean at common map scales.
Map Scale Calculator: Map Distance to Real Distance: At 1 : 25,000 one centimetre on the map is 25,000 cm, 250 m, on the ground, so 4 cm on the map is 1 km. Going the other way, 1 km on the ground is 100,000 cm ÷ 25,000 = 4 cm on the map. The results are also given in miles and inches. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
- Category
- Everyday tools
- Runs
- In your browser
- Cost
- Free · no sign-up
- Availability
- Ready to use
Runs entirely in your browser
| Scale | 1 cm on the map | 1 km on the map |
|---|---|---|
| 1 : 10,000 | 100 m | 10 cm |
| 1 : 25,000 | 250 m | 4 cm |
| 1 : 50,000 | 500 m | 2 cm |
| 1 : 100,000 | 1 km | 1 cm |
| 1 : 250,000 | 2.5 km | 0.4 cm |
| 1 : 1,000,000 | 10 km | 0.1 cm |
A scale of 1 : 25,000 means one unit on the map is 25,000 of the same units on the ground, so 1 cm stands for 250 m and 4 cm for 1 km. Hiking maps are usually 1 : 25,000 or 1 : 50,000; road atlases 1 : 200,000 or smaller. A larger second number means a smaller-scale map that shows more area in less detail.
Grid squares
Many topographic maps have a 1 km grid: at 1 : 25,000 each square is 4 cm across, and at 1 : 50,000 it is 2 cm, a quick way to estimate distances without a ruler.
Distances between places
For the straight-line distance between two towns or coordinates, the distance calculator works it out on the globe.
How to use it
- Enter the map's scale, such as 25000 for 1 : 25,000.
- Choose map to ground or ground to map, and enter the distance.
- Read the result and the table.
Privacy & limitations
Everything is calculated in your browser.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Is 1 : 25,000 a large or small scale?
Large: the smaller the second number, the larger the scale and the more detail; 1 : 25,000 is more detailed than 1 : 50,000.
How do I measure a winding path?
Lay a piece of string along the path on the map, then straighten it against a ruler, or use a map measurer wheel.
What scale is a typical hiking map?
1 : 25,000 or 1 : 50,000; national mapping agencies such as Ordnance Survey and the USGS publish both.
Free tool · runs in your browser · no account required