Use the measurement log for performing measurements

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Learn more about measuring selections, distances, angles, and object counts in Adobe Photoshop, and record results in the Measurement Log.

You can measure using the Photoshop selection tools, Ruler tool, or Count tool. Select a measurement tool that matches the type of data you want to record in the Measurement Log.

  • Create a selection area to measure height, width, perimeter, area, and pixel gray values. You can measure one or multiple selections at once.
  • Use the Ruler tool to measure linear distance and angles.
  • Use the Count tool to count items in the image, then record the number.

Each measurement records one or more data points. The data points you select determine the information captured in the Measurement Log.

  • Data points for selections: area, perimeter, height, width.
  • Data points for the Ruler tool: length, angle.
  • Data point presets: data points you can save and reuse for faster workflows.

Measure and record data

Open an existing document.

Select Image > Analysis > Set Measurement Scale, then select a measurement scale preset, or select Custom to define your own.

  • If no measurement scale exists, the default scale is 1 pixel = 1 pixel.

Select Image > Analysis > Select Data Points and do one of the following:

  • Select Custom to manually choose data points.
  • Select an existing data point preset.
  • In the Select Data Points dialog box, data points are grouped by measurement tool. Common data points include file name, measurement scale, and date/time.
Note

When you measure with a specific tool, only the relevant data points for that tool appear in the log, along with any selected Common data points.

Select an image feature and the appropriate tool:

  • Create one or more selections on the image.
  • Select Image > Analysis > Ruler tool, or select the Ruler tool from the toolbar, then measure length or angle.
  • Select Image > Analysis > Count tool, or select the Count tool from the toolbar, then count items.

Select Window > Measurement Log to open the Measurement Log panel.

Select Image > Analysis > Record Measurements, or select Record Measurements in the Measurement Log panel to record all the measurement data.

Note

If your selected data points don't match the current measurement tool, Photoshop will prompt you to update them.

Measurement Log behaviour

  • The Measurement Log creates a column for each selected data point.
  • Each measurement adds a new row of data in the log.
  • Multiple selected areas create one summary row of cumulative data, followed by a row for each selection. Each selection area is listed as a separate feature in the Label column and assigned a unique number.
  • The Document column identifies the source document for each measurement.

To build comprehensive measurement data, you can repeat the steps across multiple selections or documents.