You can measure a room in two ways, depending on what you need. The measuring tool tells you the distance between any two points you choose. A floor plan capture gives you the full room with all its dimensions already worked out. Choose the method based on whether you just need a single measurement or a complete record.
Measuring Tool vs Floor Plan Capture
The Measuring Tool
Capture the room, then pick two points and read the distance between them.
You do not need to set anything up. The LiDAR sensor measures distance directly, so a Floorplan or Space capture matches the real-world size. Just point at two spots and you get the correct number.
You can measure as many times as you want. The capture stays the same, so checking another dimension is quick and easy.
Auto measure does the work for you. On Space and Floorplan captures, it gives you the measurements automatically instead of having you pick each pair of points. This feature is available with the Business and Enterprise plans.
The Floor Plan Capture
When you capture the room in Floorplan or Space mode on a LiDAR iPhone or iPad, the dimensions are included with the plan right away. You do not have to measure them later.
You get more information than just the basics. The plan includes room dimensions, floor area, perimeter, ceiling height, wall area, and the size of every door and window it detects. If you want to know how wide the room is, the plan tells you that and much more.
Both modes measure in the same way. Space mode also gives you a 3D mesh right away, while Floorplan mode gives you a 2D plan.
You can find the floor area on the 2D plan and in a Spatial Report. Downloading the plan and creating the report are features of the Business plan, but capturing the room is free.
Which One You Want
Use the measuring tool if you only need one measurement. For example, to check if something fits through a doorway, find out how long a wall is, or see how far apart two columns are.
Choose a floor plan capture if you need a record of the room. This is helpful if you want to refer back to it, share it with someone, or use it to order materials.
Use both methods if you are already capturing the room and need one measurement to be extra accurate. Capture the plan, then measure that important dimension by hand and compare it to the plan.
Check One Dimension by Hand
A capture gives you all the measurements at once, so it is tempting to trust them without checking.
Use a tape measure on one wall and compare it to the capture. It takes less than a minute and shows if the capture worked well in this room, with its lighting and furniture.
Choose a wall that is important, like the one you are ordering materials for or where furniture needs to fit. Checking a wall that does not matter will not be as helpful.
If the two measurements do not match, check the plan before trusting either one. A difference often means the capture mistook something for a wall, which you can spot once you look for it.
Keep checking by hand until you are confident in the results. After a few rooms, you will learn how the capture works in your spaces and can check less often.
Getting the Capture Right
The accuracy of your measurement depends on how well you capture the room. Most problems come from missing parts of the room.
Walk around the edges of the room instead of standing in the middle. The capture needs to see where the walls meet the floor all the way around to get accurate dimensions.
Scan the entire height of each wall. If you only capture at eye level, you might miss the floor line at the bottom and where the wall meets the ceiling at the top.
Make sure to scan the actual wall, not just the furniture in front of it. For example, a wardrobe against a wall can be mistaken for the wall, making the room seem smaller. Scan the wall where you can see it, like at the sides of the furniture, above it, or in the corners.
Always check the plan before you leave. If a corner did not register, the room will look smaller, but you can spot this on the plan and rescan quickly if needed.
FAQ
How do I measure a room with my phone?
Capture it in Floorplan or Space mode. Read the dimensions off the floor plan, where they are already calculated, or use the measuring tool to get the distance between any two points you pick.
What is auto measure?
It produces the measurements for you rather than asking you to pick each pair of points. It works on Space and Floorplan captures and is available on the Business and Enterprise plans.
Which is more accurate, the measuring tool or the floor plan?
On a Space or Floorplan capture, they come from the same underlying scan, so neither is more accurate than the other. The difference is how much you get.
Why does my room look smaller than it is?
Usually a corner the capture missed, or furniture against a wall reading as the wall line. The plan shows both, so a look before you walk out catches them.
Which plan do I need?
Capturing costs nothing. The floor plan download and the Spatial Report need Business, and auto measure needs Business or Enterprise.
