Custom Map Rulers

Enter the map scale you want to use this ruler with. It's typically printed somewhere on the map in a ratio format like "1:25,000". For this example you would enter 25000 in the input field.

If you only have a distance equivalence, like 1 inch equals 1 mile, visit our scale calculator to get a scale ratio.

Choose the smallest division you want marked on your ruler. Smaller increments provide more precision but can make the ruler harder to read if too fine.

The options shown are automatically calculated based on your map scale to ensure the tic marks are readable and useful.

Add custom text to identify your ruler. This text will appear in the center of the ruler side.

Suggestions:

• Your name or organization
• Map name or location
• Date or project name

Keep labels short for best appearance. Long labels may be truncated.

Statute Miles are standard land miles (5,280 feet).

Nautical Miles are used for marine and aviation (6,076 feet).

Decimal format displays distances like: 1.5 miles

Fractional format displays distances like: 1 1/2 miles

Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds (DMS)

Example: W 122° 37' 42.5"

Most precise, traditional format

Degrees and Decimal Minutes (DMM)

Example: W 122° 37.23'

Common in marine navigation

Decimal Degrees (DDD)

Example: W 122.12345°

Simplest format, used in GPS

Grid spacing determines how far apart the major tick marks are on the latitude and longitude scales.

Enter the value in the format matching your selected coordinate format:

• DMS: Enter total seconds (e.g., 30 for 30 seconds)
• DMM: Enter decimal minutes (e.g., 0.5 for 30 seconds)
• DDD: Enter decimal degrees (e.g., 0.0083 for 30 seconds)

Western Hemisphere (W): Longitudes west of the Prime Meridian

Includes North and South America

Eastern Hemisphere (E): Longitudes east of the Prime Meridian

Includes Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia

Lines of longitude converge at the poles, so the physical distance represented by one degree of longitude varies with latitude.

Enter the latitude where you'll be using the longitude scale. This ensures accurate measurements for your location.

Examples:

• Seattle, WA: 47.6°
• San Francisco, CA: 37.8°
• Denver, CO: 39.7°
• New York, NY: 40.7°