Pythagoras’ theorem can be used to find the distance between two points. This is done by joining the points together to form the hypotenuse ...

Add the squares together, then find the square root to calculate the c, the hypotenuse. The hypotenuse is the distance between the two points.

If you wanted to simply measure between two points on the map, you had to rely on the tiny distance marker in Maps’ legend, using that to trace a distance on your own.

Google Maps lets you measure distance between two or more points "as the crow flies" with a couple mouse clicks or taps on your phone.

You can measure distance on Google Maps to give you the approximate mileage between any two points (or more) that you place on the map.