Rating: 5

Version tested: 1.03

PMeter (pixel meter) is a simple desktop ruler that can be used for measurement and/or benchmarking standard for anything that can be viewed on screen. It is simple yet highly configurable program that includes an on-screen color-picker tool. Can also be used portably from a USB device.

The first time I used an on screen ruler was at work when somebody sent me a form they had put together on Excel that was so complicated and poorly designed that a desktop ruler was the easiest way to get things to be symmetrical. That was when I came to realize just how useful a desktop ruler can be to anybody who is creating any visual element, and since then I’ve kept my eyes open for a good one to post.

PMeter is a straightforward program that offers a nice set of features, as follows:

• Press and hold the shift key to restrict movement to a single direction only (whether horizontally or vertically).
• Install locally or as a fully portable app.
• Switch between the following units: pixels, points, inches and centimeters.
• Customizable: simply drag the edges where you want them to increase length. Width of the ruler can be changed from the program settings, as can the color and transparency levels.
• Optional on-screen coordinates, customizable on-screen magnifier.
• Ability to rotate, flip and turn the ruler (yes these are 3 different things).
• 3 slots available for saving configurations of the ruler that you like.
• Color picker: identify color on-screen or generate using the on-screen palette. Shows HEX, RGB, and HSB values.

All I can say about this is that it is small, nicely designed freeware that gets the job done.

Compatibility: WinAll.

Go to the download page to get the latest version (approx 429K). Also visit the program page.