Google Maps does not have a built-in radius tool, but Google My Maps does
Google Maps itself has no radius feature in its main interface. However, Google My Maps — a separate tool within Google's ecosystem — includes a circle drawing tool that shows you distance in real time. If you need a quick radius without saving anything, third-party websites like Maps Radius or Radius Calculator overlay directly on Google Maps and let you click to create a circle when ready. The method you choose depends on whether you need to save the map, share it, or just view it once.
All of these approaches work on desktop. Mobile is more limited: the Google Maps app itself has no radius feature, but Google My Maps works in your phone's web browser, and most third-party radius sites are mobile-friendly.
Key Takeaways
- Google My Maps has a circle tool in its drawing menu that shows the exact radius distance as you drag.
- You can enter a precise radius distance (like exactly 5 miles) by clicking the circle and selecting "Edit circle" from the menu.
- Third-party radius tools like Maps Radius or Radius Calculator work faster if you only need to see the circle once and do not need to save it.
- Google My Maps saves automatically to your Google Drive, so you can return to your radius maps later.
- The mobile version of Google Maps has no radius tool, but Google My Maps works in your phone's web browser.
Using Google My Maps to draw a circle with a specific radius
Start by going to mymaps.google.com in your web browser and signing in with your Google account. Click the blue "Create a new map" button, give your map a name, and you will see a blank map with a toolbar on the left side. The toolbar contains drawing tools — look for the shape icon (it looks like a circle or polygon) and click it. A dropdown menu will appear with options including "Circle".
Click "Circle" and then click on the map at the point where you want the center of your radius to be. Drag outward to expand the circle to the size you want. As you drag, Google My Maps displays the radius distance in miles or kilometers at the bottom of the screen. Once you release the mouse, the circle is drawn and you can adjust it by dragging the edge.
If you need the radius to be exactly 5 miles or another precise distance, click on the circle to select it, then click the three-dot menu icon and select "Edit circle". A properties panel will open where you can type in the exact distance. You can also change the circle's color, add a label, or adjust its transparency from this same panel.
Finding your radius using a dedicated radius tool website
If you do not want to use Google My Maps, several websites overlay a radius tool directly on Google Maps. Search for "radius map tool" or "draw radius on Google Maps" and you will find options like Maps Radius, Radius Calculator, or similar tools. These sites let you click on a location and when ready see a circle with a specific radius around it, without needing to create an account or save anything.
To use one of these tools, navigate to the site and search for your location in the map search box. Click on the point where you want the center of the radius. Most tools will ask you to enter a distance — for example, 3 miles or 5 kilometers — either before or after you click. The circle will appear when ready. You can usually drag the circle to move it, adjust the radius by dragging the edge, or change the distance in a text field. These tools are faster than Google My Maps if you only need to see the radius once and do not need to save it for later.
Saving and sharing your radius map
If you created your radius in Google My Maps, you can save it by clicking the "Share" button in the top toolbar. You can make the map public (anyone with the link can view it), restricted to specific people, or private (only you can see it). Copy the link and send it to others, or keep it for your own reference. Google My Maps also saves your map automatically to your Google Drive, so you can return to it later by going back to mymaps.google.com and finding it in your list of maps.
If you used a third-party radius tool, the map usually exists only while you are on that website — you cannot save it to your account because these tools do not require login. To preserve the image, take a screenshot or use your browser's print function to save a PDF of the map.
Using the measurement tool for distance between two points
If you only need to measure the distance between two specific points rather than see a full circle, Google Maps has a built-in measurement tool. Open Google Maps on the web, right-click on your starting point, and select "Measure distance" from the menu. Then click on additional points to measure the distance between them. This tool shows you the straight-line distance but does not draw a circle, so it is less useful if you need to see everything within a radius in all directions.
The measurement tool is helpful for checking how far apart two locations are — for example, how far a commute would be or how far apart two addresses are. However, for visualizing a service area or delivery zone, a radius circle is clearer because it shows the full coverage area at a glance in all directions from the center point.
Radius circles on mobile devices
The mobile version of Google Maps does not have a built-in radius tool. If you need to draw a radius on your phone or tablet, open Google My Maps in your mobile web browser (not the Google Maps app) and follow the same steps as on desktop — tap the shape tool, select circle, and draw. The process is the same, though it may be slightly slower on a smaller screen because the toolbar takes up more space.
Alternatively, you can use a mobile-friendly radius tool website. Search for "radius map" on your phone's browser and choose a tool that works on mobile. Most modern radius tools are responsive and will work on any device without requiring you to read an app.
Common reasons to use a radius on Google Maps
People draw radius circles for many practical reasons. A delivery business might draw a 10-mile radius around their warehouse to show customers what area they serve. A real estate agent might draw a radius around a property to show what schools, parks, or transit stations are within walking distance. Someone planning a road trip might draw a radius around a city to see what towns are within a certain driving distance. A job seeker might draw a radius around their home to see what employers are in their commute range.
Once you understand how to draw a radius, you can use it for any situation where you need to visualize distance from a central point. The same technique works whether you are checking coverage areas, planning travel, or analyzing location data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I draw a radius on the regular Google Maps app on my phone?
The Google Maps mobile app does not have a radius tool. Use Google My Maps in your mobile web browser instead, or use a third-party radius tool website that works on mobile devices. Both will let you draw a circle and see the distance.
How do I change the size of a radius circle after I draw it?
In Google My Maps, click on the circle to select it, then drag the edge outward or inward to resize it. You can also click the three-dot menu on the circle and select "Edit circle" to enter an exact distance. On third-party radius tools, you can usually drag the edge or type a new distance into a text field.
Can I draw multiple radius circles on the same map?
Yes. In Google My Maps, use the circle tool as many times as you want — each circle you draw will be added to the map. You can color them differently to distinguish between them, and you can label each one. This is useful for comparing coverage areas or showing multiple service zones.
What is the difference between a radius and a diameter?
A radius is the distance from the center point outward to the edge of the circle. A diameter is the distance across the entire circle through the center. When you draw a radius circle on Google Maps, you are setting the radius — the distance from the center to the edge — not the diameter.
Can I draw a radius in kilometers instead of miles?
Yes. Google My Maps will show the distance in kilometers if your location settings are set to metric. Most third-party radius tools let you choose the unit before you draw — you can select miles, kilometers, or other measurements from a dropdown menu.