From time to time I have to do some (simple) DIY and organization work at home and I discover a truth: I don’t have a flexometer (colloquially known as a meter) at home. So normally I have to pull out that legendary 30-centimeter school ruler that accompanied me until my university years. Until I realized something: Mobile camera is used to measure distances. It’s not the surest thing in the world, but it can get you out of trouble.

And the best part is that it is really comfortable, although it does not gain sensitivity. point the lens and instantly see the answer on the screen like the best laser measuring devices. So, using an old mobile phone I had at home that I usually use for testing, I installed a free app that made this possible.

What is a distance meter and how does it work?

Please note that there are several applications available on the Google app store to measure distances with your mobile phone but not all of them work equally well. In the case of Distance Meter, a free app available on Google Play Store: If you follow the instructions exactlyReturns measurements with very little error.

Once you install it, it logically asks for: permission to access the camera And I can say that from time to time an ad appears in the foreground or in the form of a banner, but this does not hinder the experience too much.

Application interface

The idea is: using the camera Calculate the approximate distance to an object in real time thanks to augmented reality ARCore is something that constantly returns length, which can be seen by pointing the icon that appears on the screen to different things in the environment. Thus, it can detect flat surfaces (changes the icon layout), focal points of light, and the movement of the mobile phone in space. In this sense, or rather, it is interesting that the phone is always at the same height and position (for example, resting it on a floor or a tripod).

Truth be told, he’s talented Determining both the distance and height of an object: For distance, you need to point at the bottom and touch the shutter button that appears on the screen. For height, you need to point at the top and click the shutter button.

As you see, Its operation couldn’t be easier.: You open the app in a well-lit area (otherwise a warning message will appear) and choose which of the three functions to use (‘distance finder’, ‘height finder’ and ‘width finder’, same as the second option but in a different size) and follow the on-screen instructions sufficient.

The icing on the cake is that when you press the shutter button you have the option: repeat measurement or record distance (it will be saved as a photo when you tap the download icon), in case we need it later. Although the application is in Spanish, English messages also appear from time to time.

It is not a micro meter that is sensitive enough to mark a wall at the millimeter level and drill a hole, yes it can get you out of trouble Knowing whether the piece of furniture you want to place fits in a particular space.

distance meter

Use your Android phone as a laser measuring device

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via | Spanish

Cover | Eva Rodríguez de Luis

Xataka on Android | Measure distances and objects with your mobile camera