Map Size Calculator
Enter the map scale and the distance you measured with a ruler. The calculator gives the real distance in kilometres and miles, what one centimetre and one inch stand for, the area of a map square and a walking time.
- Real distance
- Map scale
- Walking time
The scale is printed in the map margin, written like 1 : 25,000.
A map scale tells you how many times smaller the map is than the ground. At 1 : 50,000, 1 cm on the map is 50,000 cm, or 500 m, on the ground. A 7 cm route is 3.5 km, about 42 minutes on foot. At 1 : 25,000 the same 7 cm is only 1.75 km.
Map scale chart
Common scales. Search for a scale.
| Scale | 1 cm is | 1 in is | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 : 10,000 | 0.1 km | 0.16 mi | Town plans |
| 1 : 25,000 | 0.25 km | 0.39 mi | Walking |
| 1 : 50,000 | 0.5 km | 0.79 mi | Hiking, cycling |
| 1 : 63,360 | 0.6336 km | 1.0 mi | One inch to the mile |
| 1 : 100,000 | 1 km | 1.58 mi | Touring |
| 1 : 250,000 | 2.5 km | 3.95 mi | Road atlases |
| 1 : 1,000,000 | 10 km | 15.78 mi | Country maps |
Ground distance for 1 cm and 1 in.
Map distance and real distance
1 : 50,000 map. Slide the map distance.
The route is drawn with a scale bar for that distance.
How to use a map scale
Ruler to ground. Step through it.
Read the scale
1 : n.
For a winding path, lay string along it, then straighten the string on a ruler.
Large, medium or small scale
Map scales. Compare them.
Large scale.
Medium.
Small scale.
Large-scale maps show small areas in great detail. Small-scale maps show big areas with less.
Before you set off
Map checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Add about 10 minutes for every 100 m of climbing to walking times.
What you get
Map distances. Each tile explains one result.
km.
Converted.
On the ground.
Per cm².
Time.
Grid squares on many walking maps are 1 km across, a quick way to judge distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
How do I use a map scale?
Measure the distance on the map, then multiply by the number after the colon.
What does one to fifty thousand mean?
One unit on the map is fifty thousand of the same units on the ground, so one centimetre is half a kilometre.
How far is one centimetre on a one to twenty-five thousand map?
Two hundred and fifty metres.
How do I measure a curved route?
Lay string along it, then measure the string with a ruler.
Which map scale is best for walking?
One to twenty-five thousand for detail, or one to fifty thousand for longer routes.
How long does it take to walk a kilometre?
About twelve minutes on the flat at five kilometres an hour.
What is a large-scale map?
One with a small number after the colon, showing a small area in detail.
From map to miles
Measure, multiply by the scale and you know how far it really is, and how long it will take.
More size calculators
Each one has its own calculator, worked examples and answers to common questions.