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 calcuator to get a scale ratio.

Changing the scale will cause the The Smallest Tic Mark Increments to be recalculated. The Latitude Longitude Grid Spacing will also be recalculated.

Personalize you ruler with your name, or use this space to put the name of the map or atlas this ruler is used with.

There are three common formats for writing latitude and longitude. The are:

• Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds i.e. W 120° 50' 30'
• Degrees, and Decimal Minutes i.e. W 120° 50.5'
• Decimal Degrees i.e. W 120.84166°

You will want to select the one your map is labeled with. If you map is labeled in more than one format, select the one that best matches the distance between tic marks and grid lines. For example on a map with tic/grid labels every 5 minutes, but labeled in Degrees, Minutes and Seconds AND Decimal Degrees, You would want to select Degrees, Minutes and Seconds instead of dealing with a grid spacing of 0.08333 degrees.

For more information on latitude longitude coordinates, visit our tutorial on the topic.

Changing the Latitude Longitude Format will cause the Latitude Longitude Grid Spacing to be recalculated.

The latitude and longitude scales on this ruler are designed to be used for measuring latitude or longitude within a grid printed or drawn onto the map. It usually makes sense to set the length of the latitude and longitude ruler scales to be a multiple of the grid spacing.

The maximum value for the lat/lon scale lengths is determined by the physical length of the ruler and the map scale.

The input format for this field varies with the lat/lon format selected, and the map scale. See the text below the input box for more info. The system can understand most resonable input strings.

The hemisphere setting for the longitude scale controls the direction the measured values increase.

• In the Eastern Hemisphere, longitude increases from west to east, or left to right on the ruler.
• In the Western Hemisphere, longitude increases from east to west, or right to left on the ruler.

Selecting the correct hemisphere will keep you from needing to read the numbers on the ruler upside down.

If you have sharp eyes, you can select to add an additional level of precision tic marks to each of the scales on this ruler. Our calculations indicate that the additional tic marks will be readable. But they may be quite close together, and may make the ruler more difficult to use.

You can choose between:

• Statute Miles – typically used for travel on land
• Nautical Miles – typically used for travel by air or sea

You can also choose how an individual mile is subdivided:

• Decimal Divisions – i.e. 1.5 miles (divisions in 1/10ths, 1/100ths, etc.)
• Fractional Divisions – i.e. 1 and 1/2 miles (divisions of 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, etc.)

Lines of longitude converge as you move away from the equator to the poles. So anywhere other than at the equator, a degree of longitude represents a shorter distance than a degree of latitude. Enter the latitude where you plan to use the ruler, and the longitude edge will be adjusted in length to fit at that latitude.

In the mid latitudes, the longitude edge will be about 1% too long when you move a degree further from the equator. I would suggest you choose the latitude closest to the equator for the area where you wish to use the ruler. Then as you move towards the poles the ruler will be a bit too long. If you need to compensate for the length, you can use the ruler at a slight angle to "shrink" it's length. It's better to be too long, since there is no technique to "stretch" the ruler.

The input format is flexible and can understand most resonable latitude formats.

• For eaxmple 12° 30' N could be written in all these ways.
• 12° 30'
• 12* 30'
• 12D 30M
• 12 30
• 12.5
• The hemisphere defaults to N and W. It can appear ant the beginning or end of the coordinate using N,S, E, W as hemisphere letters.
• Negative numbers indicate either W or S.