Accidentally damaged my tape measure and urgently need a reliable iPhone app to measure distances. Any recommendations for a free app that works well?
Measure what? Tape measure? On iPhone? SMH. Go download ‘Measure’ app straight from Apple. It’s default, free. Uses AR (big buzz word, huh?) to measure stuff with your camera. A bit finicky sometimes, but works decently if you need quick measurements. Like, don’t expect it to be as precise as a legit tape measure. Some things might not line up perfectly, but hey, saves you a trip to Home Depot, right?
Another one out there is ‘Ruler AR.’ Also free, a touch more straightforward than Apple’s. Some peeps say it’s more accurate, but YMMV.
Oh! And “Moasure.” I found this one when I was in crisis mode myself (RIP beloved tape measure 2019). Love it, but it’s not entirely free. Has a demo thing. You’ll pay unless you want lame freemium limitations, but hey, maybe worth it for ya.
If you prefer to keep it entirely free and Apple-based, stick with Apple’s Measure app. Can’t stress this enough – accuracy can sometimes be hit or miss. Move the phone slowly, avoid shaky hands, and don’t measure anything crucial for NASA.
TL;DR: ‘Measure’ app by Apple for free. ‘Ruler AR’ as alternate. ‘Moasure’ for demo but costs if you get hooked. All you need to know.
Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but I’ve had a love-hate relationship with these AR measuring apps. Espritlibre mentioned the ‘Measure’ app by Apple, and sure, it’s right there on your phone and is super convenient… until you get super annoying discrepancies when you measure something a bit tricky. Last time I used it, tried measuring a bookshelf and ended up almost buying a piece way too big for my space. #ARfail
Now, if you’re a glutton for punishment and like tweaking things to the last inch, you might appreciate ‘Ruler AR.’ It’s noted for being pretty decent, but honestly, if you’re moving your phone too fast or not on level ground, it’s back to questionable results city.
For hardcore accuracy, Moasure’s the bomb. But it comes with a price. They tease you with the free demo, then it’s a paywall. So, you decide if it’s worth the splurge!
Here’s a curveball: ‘MagicPlan’ - free version’s not as intuitive, but it’s multifunctional if you like CAD-esque mapping and design alongside measuring. You think AR is buzzword-y? CAD’s the nerdier cousin that actually does the job.
Oh! Also, if you just need basic measurements (like, not blueprint precise), consider a classic ‘ruler’ or ‘measuring tape’ app just using the screen size. Not AR, but surprisingly effective for small stuff.
So, TL;DR (thank you millennial abbreviations):
- Measure app for quick ’n’ dirty measures.
- Ruler AR if you’re feeling fancy.
- Moasure—hit those critical measures, but fork out cash.
- MagicPlan for multi-use.
- Screen rulers.
P.S. Don’t forget to calibrate these darn tools - guess how I found out? Prep before measuring saves you more trips to Home Depot 
.