The Measure tool provides a quick way to measure and temporarily display the length (and angle from the horizontal, if applicable) of individual walls or lines that you select in plan views. In elevation views, you can use this tool to select only the ends of walls running perpendicular to the view direction (to display the height of the wall). In both plan and elevation views, however, you can draw a temporary line or a chain of lines connecting points that you specify. In either case, the dimensions generated by the tool remain on the screen until you start the next measurement or exit the tool. Length dimensions also display in the Total Length box on the Options Bar.
- Click Modify tab
Measure panelMeasure drop-down, and then click either 
(Measure Between Two References) or 
(Measure Along An Element).If you select Measure Between Two References, you can measure a certain length from a starting point. Click the starting point, move the cursor in the direction that you want the line to extend, and enter a value for the length of the line.
If you select Measure Along An Element, select the element in the drawing area. Temporary dimensions display for the element and the total length displays on the Options Bar.
- If you want to display dimensions for a chain of temporary lines that you draw, on the Options Bar, select Chain and do either of the following:
- Specify a series of points.
- Specify the first point, move the cursor in the direction that you want the line to extend, and enter a value for the length of the line, repeating until all lines in the chain are drawn.
The Total Length box on the Options Bar keeps a running total for the length of the chain. Double-click to end the chain.
Note: Chain is only available when you select Measure Between Two References. - Press Esc once to exit the current measurement.
- Press Esc twice to exit the Measure tool.
Measure line with length and angle measurements
Measure chain with the total length displaying on the Options Bar