How to change distance units in Google Maps

When you do zoom in or out in Google Maps, the scale of the map changes dynamically. You can view the current scale and scale of the map with a gauge icon in the lower right corner of the screen, which shows common units of measure such as miles or kilometers. So how do you convert these units of measurement? Here’s how to do it.

How to view map scale in Google Maps

If you’re not sure which scale your Google Maps is currently using, go to Google Maps using your computer’s web browser, in map view, look down at the bottom right corner of the screen. You will see a small ruler, which shows the current scale and scale of the map, mostly in miles and kilometers (or sometimes a smaller unit).

Using the Google Maps mobile app, map ratios are typically displayed when you zoom in or out on a map, in both miles and kilometers at the same time.

How to change the Google Maps map scale unit on Windows or Mac

Google Maps will usually set the default map scale unit based on actual usage in each region or country so that users feel familiar. For example, in the US and UK, the default distance unit in Google Maps would be miles. However, in Vietnam or most European countries, km is used from the beginning.

In case you want to change the map scale units used on the Google Maps website for Windows or Mac computers, click the scale bar in the bottom right corner of the screen.

The scale bar will switch to available units of measure, allowing you to quickly view the map scale in miles, kilometers, or other units of measure.

The set-up always displays the map scale in the mobile Google Maps app

If you’re using the Google Maps app on Android, iPhone, or iPad, you’ll only see the map scale when zooming in and out. The scale bar will show both kilometers and miles, so you don’t need to do anything to switch between them.

However, if you want the map scale information to be always displayed, you will need to do some setup on the Google Maps app.

Start by tapping your user profile icon in the top right corner of the app screen, next to the search bar.

In the pop-up menu, tap the “Settings” option.

In the “Settings” menu, select the option “Show Scale On Map”.

By default, the “Show Scale On Map” setting is set to “When Zooming In And Out”. To always display the scale of the map, select “Always”.

Now let’s go back to map mode. You will see the proportions always appear at the bottom right without having to zoom in or out.