If you’re a homeowner who is considering having a fence built or rebuilt, a local fence company, like Spring Fence Pros, will come out and give you an accurate measurement and free quote. However, if you’d like to get an estimate over the phone or have an idea of how much fence material you will need, there’s an easy fence measuring tool you can use online. Google Maps has a measuring function that gives you a surprisingly accurate measurement of your fence or your property line.
We’ve created an interactive demo of the fence measuring tool below. Simply click the button in the middle of the Google Maps satellite image to start:
The neighborhood in the above Google maps demo is located in Spring, Texas
Measuring a Fence with Google Maps
- Why Measure Your Fence?
- Planning a new fence installation or renovating an old one.
- Estimating cost and materials.
- Checking rough measurements before consulting a professional.
- Why Google Maps?
- It’s Free, accessible, and user-friendly.
- Offers a quick estimate without needing any physical measurements.
Getting Started
- Open Google Maps
- Go to Google Maps on your preferred device (desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.).
- Find Your Property
- Enter your address in the search bar and locate your property on the map.
Switch to Satellite View
- Layers Icon: Click on the “Layers” icon (stacked squares) at the bottom left.
- Select Satellite: Choose “Satellite” to get a clearer overhead view of your property.
Measuring Your Fence Line
- Right-Click to Measure
- Right-click on the starting point of your proposed or existing fence line.
- From the dropdown menu, select “Measure distance.”
- Click Points Along the Fence Line
- Continue clicking on each corner or segment along the path of your fence.
- Google Maps will calculate the total distance automatically as you add more points.
- Review Your Measurement
- Look at the bottom of the screen: the total distance is displayed there.
- Use this measurement to get an approximate fence length for planning or cost estimates.
Tips for Better Accuracy
- Zoom In: The closer you zoom, the more precisely you can place points.
- Multiple Points for Curves: If the fence is curved or angled, drop several points along the curve to capture the actual path.
- Use Street View (if available): If you’re unsure where the fence line starts or ends, quickly check Street View to confirm landmarks.
Final Thoughts
- Measuring with Google Maps is a fast, convenient approach to get an approximate fence length—especially useful at the early stages of any fencing project.
- Budget & Planning: Use your Google Maps estimate as a starting point for budgeting materials, labor, or contractor quotes.
- If you have a walk-through gate, you will want to measure the gate and deduct the linear measurement (for example 42″) from your total measured fence. The cost to replace your fence will be the total linear feet times the price per foot, plus the price of the gate, and the cost to remove (demo) the existing fence material. If you want a “rot board” or a “cap and trim” top, those are an additional per sq. ft price.
- Verify On-Site: For precise measurements, use a measuring wheel or consult a professional fence contractor. Spring Fence Pros can give an approximate estimate over the phone, but we give accurate free quotes by coming out to your property and measuring with our equipment.