Google Earth rolls out much-requested Measure Tool

Introducing the Measure Tool for Google Earth on Chrome and Android. (Google)

Google Earth is rolling out a new feature that it describes as “one of the most requested” -- the ability to measure distance and areas.

For those less familiar with Google Earth, it's a program that uses various geographical data to create a 3D representation of the globe. By zooming in, users can see birds-eye satellite images of well, almost anywhere.

Now using Measure Tool, Google Earth wants to help users know how far their hometown is from the North Pole, or simply measure the length of a hike they've just finished.

The tool doesn't just measure in straight lines or squares either, so even a large lake could be measured. Users simply select the borders as they go, a bit like connecting the dots.

A blogpost from Google notes that the Measure Tool will be available on Chrome Monday, Android later this week and iOS in the near future.