rulerStart a shared ruler in five steps
- Open Distance between us and choose Create a shared ruler. It works in a browser without an account or app installation.
- Enter the name your friends will recognize. Review the suggested area, select Choose a city, or press Use my device location. Device location requires browser permission.
- Review your snapshot and choose Create our ruler. Preparing a location alone does not add it to the room.
- Use Invite a friend or Copy link to send the invitation in your conversation. Each friend opens it, chooses Add me to this ruler, and saves their own name and snapshot.
- Select a friend’s mark or name to compare your distance. Use Measure from to change the starting person and km or miles to change units.
Up to eight people, including the creator, fit on one ruler. Keep using the same link as people join. Everyone with that link can view the group, including someone who chooses not to add a snapshot.
Which location should you share?
The choice affects both accuracy and how much you reveal. Every participant chooses what to add.
| Option | What it represents | Main limit |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a city | The approximate center of a listed city | A broad comparison, rather than your position within it |
| Suggested area | An approximate area derived from your internet connection’s IP address | May be missing or wrong; review it before saving |
| Use my device location | A one-time position and reported accuracy from your browser | Permission is required; precision varies |
The city picker contains a limited list. If the suggestion looks wrong, choose an appropriate listed city or a device snapshot. Device snapshots appear under the label Device location, with a capture time and reported accuracy. They are optional and are not guaranteed to be exact.
Distances involving cities or suggested areas are broad, rounded estimates. Same estimated area means the snapshots use the same approximate area; it does not establish that two people are together. Nearby means the reported location accuracy may not distinguish their separation.
Read a group ruler: distance and direction
All marks share one scale measured from the selected starting person. The farthest friend sets the end of the scale. Nearby marks may combine into a button such as 3 people; open it and choose a name. The large readout compares the two selected people.
To compare Ada with Ben, change Measure from to Ada and select Ben. The distance follows the Earth’s surface directly between their snapshots. It does not supply a driving route, compass direction or travel time.
Snapshots stay where you left them
Check the location type and capture time beside each name. A saved snapshot can be old even when the group page has just refreshed. Opening the link or leaving it open does not continuously follow anyone’s movement.
To share a changed location, choose Update my snapshot, select or capture a location again, and press Save my new snapshot. This replaces the previous snapshot; the room does not keep a location history.
Who can see and change the group?
Anyone with the invitation link can see names, location labels, snapshot information and distances. Forwarding the link forwards access. Names are self-entered, not verified identities.
The service stores coordinates to calculate distances. Other members do not receive those raw coordinates, but distances from known places can still help infer a location. Share only a snapshot you are comfortable letting the group use. See the location privacy details.
Choose Remove me to remove your entry. The creator can remove members or choose Delete this ruler. Editing controls belong to the browser used to create or join: clearing its storage or switching browsers can lose those controls. Keep site storage enabled; ask the creator to remove your entry if needed.
How long does the link work?
A room expires after ten days without a visit. Opening it, joining or updating a snapshot extends that deadline; background refreshes do not. Check the expiry date in the room. An expired room becomes inaccessible, while physical storage cleanup can take longer.
Common questions
Can I find a friend by name or phone number?
No. This tool has no people search. Your friend chooses to add a snapshot through the invitation. Their entered name is simply a label on the ruler.
Can this tell me where to meet?
It can compare the locations friends share. For a meeting, agree on a place and use a route planner for directions and travel time. An old snapshot cannot confirm someone’s current whereabouts.
Do I need to calibrate my screen?
No. Geographic distances come from the shared locations; screen size does not change the result. To measure a small physical object against your display, use the separate screen ruler and calibrate it against a known-size reference first.