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Recently, many free tool providers that offered radius map tools have had to limit their services due to pricing.
If you’re looking for a free circle tool alternative, try the Radius Map Tool.
Radius Map Tool
You can use this tool to draw a circle around a point. The example below shows a radius of 10 miles from the centre of London.
A radius of 10 miles from the centre of London
How do I draw a radius map?
Step 1 - Open the radius map tool
Step 2 - Select a distance
Step 3 - Select miles or kilometers
Step 4 - Enter a starting location
Step 5 - Click ‘GO’
Below is a radius of 20 miles from the centre of Ca’ Tiepolo, Italy.
Postcode
In addition to locations and areas, you can also enter an exact postcode. The example below shows a radius of 15 miles from London postcode, EC1V 2NZ.
Compare travel times
The distance radius map also allows you to compare the distance to travel time.
Click ‘view reachable area by public transport’
The result will show you the radius map and areas reachable by public transport layered on top . The area calculated assumes the person sets off at 9am and can travel from the starting point to the end point using real routes, not in a straight line. The search assumes the user departs at exactly 9am and must arrive at their destination within the time limit. They must walk to the public transport mode, wait for it, board, travel and reach the destination.
The radius map tool matches the drive time area based on the closest match to the requested radius. For public transport, the suggested travel time is 85 minutes. However, this could be amended.
The below map shows the travel time changed to 60 minutes.
On the right-hand side of the page, there is an analysis of the comparison.
Looking at the analysis we can see that 70% of the radius is not reachable within 60 minutes. This means that many of the areas included in the radius would take too long to reach.
We can also see that 3% of areas that are reachable within 60 minutes travel time, fall outside of the radius. This means that searching by radius means you will miss these opportunities.
Filter
You can also use the right hand side of the page to filter
Clicking the eye will hide the radius.
Leaving the other map on display.
Driving
Once you have viewed the travel time by public transport, you can click ‘view reachable area by driving’ to load the driving results.
For driving, the closest match to the requested radius is 65 minutes. We can see that 31% of the radius is not reachable within 65 minutes drive time. 30% of the drive time also falls outside the radius.
Using a radius means that some areas are shown that are not relevant. Other opportunities are missed because they fall outside the radius shape.
To create your own radius map try the TravelTime Radius Map Tool. You can also create your own create your own travel time Map using public transport, driving, walking or cycling.