19 jul 2026
Are you planning a home improvement project, or maybe just checking if a new sofa fits the space? You don’t need a laser device or any special equipment—just your smartphone and the right app. Area, iScanner’s free measurement feature for Android, turns your phone camera into a handy measuring tool when you don’t have a tape measure nearby or need to measure hard-to-reach objects.
Don’t get us wrong: tape measures are great, but they aren’t always practical. You may need to measure something that’s too high to reach, tucked behind other objects, or simply too far away. And unless you’re working on DIY projects regularly, chances are you don’t carry a tape measure around.
So, instead of climbing a ladder or squeezing between shelves, you can use your phone camera. It gives you a backup when a traditional tape measure isn’t an option.
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How It Works
Area is a measurement feature for Android that is based on the ARCore—an amazing computer vision technology that can detect the position and orientation of the device’s camera relative to its surroundings. ARCore can recognize surfaces and track the movements of the camera in 3D space. Please note that ARCore technology works on devices with Android 7.0 and later. You can find more details on supported devices here.
You can take measurements of whatever it is you’re pointing your camera at! First, open the iScanner app. Then tap the blue plus icon at the bottom of the screen and select Camera. Next, choose the Area scanning mode. All set! All you have to do now is point your camera at the object you need to measure.
The process is very straightforward, but the app will give you visual clues to guide you through it. Basically, you need to align the on-screen guides with the object’s physical outlines.
If taking measurements is not something you do on a daily basis, trying to remember those numbers can be a bit like carrying water in your hands. One second you have them memorized, but by the time you get hold of a pencil, they slip your mind.
The good news is that you don’t have to rely on memory. The app will automatically make a record of your measurements in real time. Once you’ve lined up your measurements, it will prepare a blueprint of the measured object that you can save, share, print, or delete in one tap.
Whether it’s for material and cost estimation or space planning, the Area feature can calculate the surface area for you in seconds. This can be especially handy if you need the numbers urgently or if your room has a complex layout.
Just align the guides with the outlines of whatever it is you need the surface area for until you have a closed loop and then tap Next. The app will calculate the surface area and draw up a blueprint.
In the app, you can easily convert your measurements into various measuring units of both the imperial and metric systems. The app will remember your choice and continue using it for future measurements so that you don’t have to switch each time.
Area is a measurement feature for Android that also comes with iScanner’s other features, such as adding text boxes, a new page with your comments, or a photo to your blueprints.
Adding a photo of your room to your blueprint can be incredibly useful. It lets you quickly reference the space while shopping for materials or collaborating with an interior designer. Plus, combining a photo with your blueprint helps professionals provide more accurate quotes and budget estimates. With a clear visual reference, you can avoid costly mistakes and ensure you’re making the most of your space.
So, keep up the good work, and don’t forget to use handy digital tools like Area that can make your DIY projects easier and more enjoyable! By the way, the Area feature is also available on iOS.
