---
title: "Mark and Measure tool"
slug: "measurements"
description: "Master precise measurements in 2D and 3D views with the Mark & Measure tool, featuring customizable settings and easy export options."
tags: ["2D and 3D Views", "Mark and Measure", "Measurement Tools"]
updated: 2026-08-18T15:39:31Z
published: 2026-08-18T15:39:31Z
canonical: "knowledge.navvis.com/measurements"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.navvis.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Mark and Measure tool

Use the **Mark & Measure** tool to take measurements with centimetre precision in a site. Open it from the toolbar on the left side of the screen and its measurement tools with your saved measurements appear in a panel on the right.

![NavVis office interface showing measurement tools and options for marking and measuring.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.02.40.png)

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** You can measure in the 3D view (panorama or point clouds) or the 2D map. Press **Esc** at any time to cancel a measurement. Measurements are saved automatically if you have the [*Save measurements*](https://knowledge.navvis.com/docs/managing-user-groups#group-permissions) role.

## Measurement tools

Select a measurement type from **Free**, **Horizontal**, or **Vertical**. Then choose a mode within it based on requirements.

![Measurement tools for distance, polygon, rectangle, and circle in a user interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.04.21.png)

To view a measurement in 2D, use the secondary view in the bottom-right corner, or switch to the 2D map with the **3D / 2D** toggle.

## Settings

In the Mark & Measure panel, click the **Settings** icon to turn these options on or off:

![User interface displaying measurement options and settings in NavVis software application.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.06.31.png)

- **Magnifier**: zoom in to place points more accurately (panorama view only).
- **Auxiliary plane**: show a fixed geometric reference for a surface area.
- **Cursor coordinates**: show the coordinates at the cursor's exact position.
- **Measurement names**: show the name of each measurement.
- **Line segment distances**: show side (segment) measurements.
- **Switch coordinates**: view cursor and point coordinates in different systems (site coordinates or a global spatial reference system), and include them when exporting.

## Managing your measurements

Your measurements are listed in the panel. Click one to jump to it. From the list or directly in the view, you can:

- Hover over a measurement in the 2D or 3D view to colour, hide, or remove it.
- Share measurements or export them as PDF (see [**Share measurements**](https://navvis.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/TCCC/pages/3388309720/Mark+and+Measure+tool#Share-measurements)).
- Download measurements as CSV or DXF (see [**Download measurements**](https://navvis.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/TCCC/pages/3388309720/Mark+and+Measure+tool#Download-measurements)).
- Copy, paste, move, and rotate measurements.
- Drag and drop measurements into folders to group them.

You can create new measurements even when all existing measurements are hidden.

![A digital interface displaying measurements and navigation tools in an office environment.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.09.34.png)

## Measurement planes for polygon, rectangle, and circle measurements

Polygon, rectangle, and circle measurements are taken on a single plane. The number of points needed to define the plane depends on the mode:

- **Free polygon:** three points.
- **Horizontal polygon:** one point.
- **Vertical polygon:** two points.
- **Horizontal or vertical rectangle**: two points.
- **Horizontal or vertical circle:** two points.

Once the plane is defined, a dotted blue line shows the projection of the cursor onto that plane. This projection is used as a point in the measurement.

![A digital interface displaying area measurement and marking tools in an office space.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.13.09.png)

## Take a free measurement

1. Select **Free**, then **Distance**, **Polygon**, **Orthogonal**, **Point**, or **Polyline**.
2. Left-click in the 3D view to place the start point. A blue line follows your cursor and shows the distance.
3. Complete the measurement:
  - **Distance** or **Orthogonal**: left-click the end point.
  - **Polygon**: return the cursor to the start point and left-click.
  - **Point**: left-click once.
  - **Polyline**: press **Enter**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Free measurement.gif)

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** To adjust a completed measurement, click one of its points and drag it to the location you want.

## Take a horizontal or vertical measurement

1. Select **Horizontal** or **Vertical**, then **Distance**, **Polygon**, **Rectangle**, or **Circle**.
2. Left-click to place points. A blue line follows your cursor. For a rectangle, two parallel blue lines appear once you have placed the first two points.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Horizontal measurement.gif)

## Use the magnifier

The magnifier improves point-placement accuracy and works in the panorama view only.

1. Select a measurement mode.
2. In **Settings**, turn on **Magnifier**.
3. Place the start point, then move to the end point. The magnifier zooms in as you position each point.

![NavVis interface showing magnifier option and various measurement settings for 3D visualization.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.43.57.png)

## Colour a measurement

1. Hover over a measurement and click the dropper icon.
2. Choose a colour.

![A digital interface showing measurements and options in a modern office environment.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.08.59.png)

## Rename a measurement or folder and add a description

1. Double-click the current name (it highlights blue) and enter a new name.
2. To add a description, click the arrow to the right of the name and enter it.

Changes are saved automatically.

![Measurement tools displaying area and dimensions in a virtual office environment.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.41.31.png)

## Group measurements

1. Click the folder icon to create a new folder.
2. Drag and drop measurements into the folder.

![A hallway with measurement tools and options for creating folders in NavVis software.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.48.29.png)

## Share measurements

1. Select the measurements or folder using the checkboxes.
2. Click the **Share** icon. The selected measurements appear in the **Export Measurements** dialog, each with its name, distance, point location, a copyable link, and a screenshot.
3. Click **Export as PDF**.

![Measurement export window showing area and dimensions for a building on floor four.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.51.33.png)

## Download measurements

Export measurements as CSV or DXF to support planning and data integration:

- **CSV**: removes manual transfer from PDFs to spreadsheets; useful for space management and site assessments.
- **DXF**: brings measurements into CAD applications as linework for modelling or site planning.

With the measurement selected, click the **Download** icon.
- In the **Export measurements** screen, set the following:
  - File name.
  - Format: CSV or DXF.
  - Coordinate system: **Site coordinate system** (used when the site was created), **Spatial reference system** (chosen from the list), or **Dataset** (matches the dataset's system).
  - Delimiter (CSV only).
  - Number format (CSV only).
- Click **Export** to download the file.

![Export measurements dialog showing file name, coordinate system, and delimiter options.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.53.04.png)

## Change the unit system

You cannot change your instance's unit system inside the Mark & Measure tool. In the topbar, open the **Account** menu, click **Language & unit system**, and select the option that suits you.

![NavVis Office interface showing measurement tools and language settings for user profile.](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-07-29 at 16.54.11.png)

## Permissions

Mark & Measure is available to Editors, Site Admins, and Global Admins by default. To grant access to another group (including the Everyone group for guest users), a Global Admin or Site Admin enables the **Use measurement tool** permission for that group under **User Management > Groups**. To let a group save measurements, enable the **Save measurements** role.

## Keyboard shortcuts

Press **?** to open the keyboard shortcuts overview in NavVis IVION.

| Key | Action |
| --- | --- |
| Backspace | Remove last point |
| Esc | Cancel measurement; deselect measurement tool |
| 1 | Free distance measurement (press repeatedly to cycle through all distance modes) |
| 2 | Free polygon measurement (press repeatedly to cycle through all polygon modes) |
| 3 | Rectangle measurement (press repeatedly to cycle through all rectangle modes) |
| 4 | Orthogonal measurement |
| 5 | Point measurement |
| 6 | Polyline measurement |
| Shift + 1 | Horizontal distance measurement |
| Shift + 2 | Horizontal polygon measurement |
| Shift + 3 | Horizontal rectangle measurement |
| Shift + 4 | Horizontal circle measurement |
| Alt/Option + 1 | Vertical distance measurement |
| Alt/Option + 2 | Vertical polygon measurement |
| Alt/Option + 3 | Vertical rectangle measurement |
| Alt/Option + 4 | Vertical circle measurement |
| Return | End area measurement |
| Ctrl + C | Copy measurement |
| Ctrl + V | Paste measurement |

---

### FAQ

#### What types of measurements can I take?

Free, horizontal, and vertical measurements.

#### Can I take measurements in both 2D and 3D views?

Yes. You can measure in the 3D view and the 2D map.

#### Is it possible to download measurements?

Yes. You can download measurements as CSV or DXF files.

#### Can I rename measurements or folders?

Yes. You can rename measurements and folders and add descriptions.

#### How do I crop the point cloud or model?

Open the **Crop view** tool in the toolbar to crop the point cloud or model.

#### What should I do if I want to cancel a measurement?

Press **Esc**.

#### Can I group measurements into folders?

Yes. Create folders and drag and drop measurements into them.

#### Is there a way to improve measurement accuracy?

Yes. Turn on the **Magnifier** in the Mark & Measure settings (panorama view only).