Start building for freeCreate a radius map
Draw a mile or kilometre radius around any location — and see the area you can actually reach by car, walking, and cycling on the map.
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the circle marks straight-line distance
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Drawing a radius that means something
What a map radius shows
A map radius is a circle drawn around an origin at a set distance — 10 miles, 20 km, whatever you choose. Everywhere inside the boundary is within that distance of the centre in a straight line.
It's a fast way to answer "what's near here": which branches sit within 30 km of a depot, how much of a county falls inside a 50 mile catchment, is a property within 5 miles of a school.
What it doesn't show is where you can actually get to. A circle assumes you can travel in every direction at the same rate. This tool gives you both the straight-line radius and the actual distance covered by the road network, so you can see the difference.
Our TravelTime Map & Drive Time Tool is a free tool to generate travel time maps — using time limits rather than distances.
How to draw a radius on a map
Search for a place or drop a point on the map, then set the distance and choose the network you'd like to see — driving, cycling, or walking.
Add up to three points to compare areas, or drag a point to move its circle with it.
Mile radius vs km radius
Both a mile radius and kilometre radius measure straight-line distance, sometimes called air miles or as the crow flies. Neither tells you how far the roads actually take you, which is what the second reading is for.
Switch the unit in the panel's foot. Nothing else changes; the point stays put and the circle resizes.
Why a road radius is different to a straight-line radius
Straight-line radius, "as the crow flies", or "air miles" shows a perfect circle around a starting location using miles or kilometres.
But roads don't reach everywhere evenly from a starting area. A river with one bridge means that you may need to travel further to cross it, a one-way system can double the true driving distance, and a dead end is a dead end however close it looks.
The road radius is more complex, measured along the transport and road infrastructure. It hugs the circle's edge along a straight main road, and falls short of it wherever the roads wander.
Radius from your current location
Drop a pin or add your address to draw a radius circle map around it.
No sign-up is needed. To measure journeys between two places instead of an area, the Distance Calculator gives the distance and the route.
Draw radius maps at scale
This tool handles up to three location origins. If you need thousands — every branch, every property, every depot — the TravelTime API returns results at scale for a fixed annual price with no per-call charge.
Frequently asked questions
How do I draw a radius on a map?
Search for a place or tap the map to drop a point, then set the distance with the slider. The circle updates as you drag, and you can switch between miles and kilometres.
How do I draw a 5, 10 or 50 mile radius?
Set the slider anywhere from 5 to 120, in whichever unit is selected. The circle scales to true size, so a 50 mile radius measures 50 miles from your point in every direction.
Can I draw a radius from my current location?
Yes. Search for your location or drop a pin on the map, and the circle is drawn around where you are. You can add up to three points to compare areas.
What is an air mile radius?
Air miles measure straight-line distance — also known as "as the crow flies". It ignores roads and underlying transport infrastructure. The road reading takes the same number and measures it along the road network instead.
How accurate is a radius circle?
TravelTime radius circles are accurate at any latitude or longitude, because the circle is geodesic. As a measure of where you can actually get to, it isn't — which is what the road reading is for.
Is this TravelTime radius map tool free?
Yes, with no sign-up. For full access across thousands of locations, the TravelTime API has a free key.
Build without compromise
Every radius map and "as the crow flies" radius on this page runs on the TravelTime API. Discover TravelTime for your business.