AutoCAD DIST Command: Measure Distance Between Points
Reports the distance, angle and coordinate differences between two points.
- Command
- DIST
- Aliases
- DI
- English name
- Distance
The AutoCAD DIST command measures the distance between two points and shows the result on the command line. It does not add anything to the drawing. Use object snaps when picking points so you hit endpoints, corners or centers exactly.
Along with the distance, it reports the angle in the XY plane, the angle from the XY plane and the Delta X, Delta Y and Delta Z values. These help when you need a slope or the horizontal and vertical components of a run.
The Multiple points option lets you keep picking points to get the total length of a path. The last measured distance is stored in the DISTANCE system variable.
How to use it
- Type DIST or DI and press Enter.
- Pick the first point, using object snaps.
- Pick the second point; the distance and angles appear on the command line.
- For a total along several points, choose M (Multiple points) instead of the second point.
Options
- Multiple points
- Keeps a running total as you pick more points; arc and length input are also available.
- Distance
- The true 3D distance between the two points.
- Angle in XY Plane
- The angle of the line between the points in the XY plane.
- Delta X / Delta Y / Delta Z
- The change in X, Y and Z from the first point to the second.
Notes and tips
- Results are in drawing units; if you draw in millimeters, the distance is in millimeters.
- Press F2 to open the text window and see the full output.
- To get the length of an existing object, LIST or the Properties palette is quicker.