How do I use the measurement tools in Soda PDF?

Distance, Perimeter, Area

You can use Soda PDF’s measurement tools to calculate the Distance, Perimeter and Area of any shapes in your PDF.

Click here if you need help calibrating the measurement tool.

Calculating Distance

Open the Comment Module.
Choose Distance

The mouse cursor will change and you can start measuring the distance.

Click to set the start point.
Move your mouse cursor.

You will see a line appear along as you move the mouse cursor. The distance will update as the line changes length.

Click again to place the end-point.
Move the mouse curser to place your measurement in the best place.
Click again to lock it in place.

Click again to calculate another distance.

You can also right-click after placing the first point to place the end-point and calculate in one step.

Click to place the starting point for the measurement.
When the end-point is at the correct place, right click.
Choose Complete.

The measured distance will appear in the arrowed line and you can continue working on your file.

Calculating Perimeter

Open the Comment Module.
Click on the dropdown in the Measurements section.
Choose Perimeter

The mouse cursor will change and you can measure the perimeter.

Drag your mouse cursor over the perimeter of the shape.
Click at each corner to mark it. As you drag the mouse further, it will use the last corner you clicked on as the new reference point.
Trace the outline of your shape.

When you have traced the perimeter, right click and a menu will open.
Choose Complete.

While in View Mode click on the measurement area to see the perimeter.

Calculating the Area

Open the Comment Module.
Click on the dropdown in the Measurements section.
Choose Area

The mouse cursor will change informing you that you can measure the area.

Drag your mouse cursor over the perimeter of the shape.
Click at each corner to mark it. As you drag the mouse further, it will use the last corner you clicked on as the new reference point.
Trace the outline of your shape.

Because it is calculating the area, you will notice that moving the mouse cursor creates the outline of a shape, we recommend following the perimeter of the area you are measuring.