Guide
How to use the online ruler
Keep browser zoom at 100%. Calibrate once. Measure on any edge.
1. Calibrate for actual size
Every display has its own pixel density. Until you set PPI, ticks are only an estimate (96 CSS pixels per inch). Open Calibrate and pick one method.
- Auto-detect device — matches CSS width, height, and pixel ratio to factory PPI for phones, tablets, and laptops.
- Screen diagonal — type the advertised inches. PPI = √(screenWidth² + screenHeight²) ÷ diagonal.
- Credit card — ISO ID-1 cards are 85.60 × 53.98 mm. Match the blue rectangle, then save. Arrow keys nudge one pixel.
2. Place rulers on the edges you need
The ruler starts on the left edge. Switch to Right, Top, or Bottom from the toolbar. A phone usually wants the long edge. Click a ruler to drop a dashed guide; Esc clears guides and the last drag-span.
3. Read inches, cm, or mm
Use the unit pills or keys 1 / 2 / 3. Drag on the stage to measure a rectangle; the HUD shows width × height and copies all three units.
Accuracy notes
- Do not pinch-zoom. Reset browser zoom to 100% if the warning chip appears.
- Re-calibrate when you move the window to another monitor.
- OS display scaling is already reflected in CSS pixels; enter the physical diagonal, not a “scaled” size.
- This is not a camera measuring app. For objects larger than the screen, use a tape.
Specialized measuring guides
Explore focused guides for specific devices, calibration items, and unit conversions:
Credit Card Size Ruler Guide
Calibrate your display using any ISO standard bank card.
Inches to CM Ruler Guide
Switch and compare imperial and metric units side-by-side.
Actual Size Ruler for Phone
Measure physical items on mobile screens with auto-detection.
MM Ruler Online Guide
High-precision millimeter tick marks for screws, bolts, and jewelry.