Need to check for a level surface when hanging a painting, putting in a shelf, or doing construction around the house? A regular level tool would certainly come in handy, but maybe you don’t have one.
In that case, your iPhone can come to your rescue. A level feature is built right into the iOS Compass app through which you can gauge the angle of a surface.
If you want your phone to do more, you can grab any number of apps from the App Store, like iHandy Level and Bubble Level for iPhone. Let’s check out how to measure a surface using the Compass app and some helpful third-party apps.
This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.
Using the Compass App
iOS has long shipped with the built-in Compass app, so you can use any iPhone for this purpose. Open the Compass app. The first screen displays the typical compass for figuring out your direction, but a surprise lies ahead. Swipe the screen to the left and there you’ll see the level feature.
Measuring a Horizontal Surface
Now let's say you want to measure a flat, horizontal surface, such as a table or the top frame of a picture. Place your iPhone on top of that surface. Move the top or bottom of your iPhone up or down to see the degrees change.
Customize the App
You can also repaint the background color from black to red by tapping on the screen.
Finding a Level Horizontal Surface
Stop when the number of degrees reaches 0. Notice the screen also turns green, indicating that you’ve reached level nirvana.
Measuring a Vertical Surface
Now, maybe you need to measure a vertical surface, such as a wall or a sign. Position your phone against that vertical surface.
Finding a Level Vertical Surface
Move your phone around until the number of degrees reaches 0 and the bottom half of the screen turns green.
Measuring Angles
Tap the screen and angle the top or bottom part of your phone. Notice that the top half sports red angles. Positioning your phone this way can help you measure specific types of angles, such as those of 45 degrees or 90 degrees.
Finding Alternatives
Want a different look to your virtual level tool or need more features? Then check out a third-party level app from the App Store.
iHandy Level
The free iHandy Level offers both a bubble level and a numeric level so you have two ways of gauging the angle of a surface. You can calibrate the app to ensure that it’s taking an accurate reading. When the app indicates a level surface, tap on the Hold button to ensure that the reading stays that way. The app also offers basic settings to control the sensitivity and other elements.
Bubble Level for iPhone
A free, ad-supported app, Bubble Level offers several tools in one package, including a compass, a virtual tape measure, a bubble level, a surface level, and a gyroscope. With the bubble level, you can judge the angle of a surface through a green bubble and by viewing the number of degrees. You can calibrate the app to ensure its accuracy. And you can lock in a reading. The surface level tool offers a way of measuring a surface both horizontally and vertically.