# Sonar Ruler

> Measures distances using iPhone speaker echoes and sound pulses. (iPhone/iPad app by Laan Labs.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sonar-ruler/id324621243 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Laan Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/310916919)
- Category: Utilities, Entertainment
- Price: $0.99
- Rating: 2.70/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 168 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.1 · 13 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-08-05
- Data updated: 2026-08-28
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sonar-ruler/id324621243/reviews.md

## What is Sonar Ruler?

Sonar Ruler is a winner in the Best App Ever Awards - "Most innovative use of iPhone hardware" category!

The Amazing New Sonar Ruler is an experimental app that uses echoes to measure distances with your iPhone! 

*  It uses the same principles that dolphins use to find food! *

It sends a short pulse from the speaker and measures how long that pulse takes to bounce off of something and return to the phone. It then estimates how far away you are.

>> Impress your friends with what this unique app can accomplish using only an iphone! <<

Ϟ GIZMODO.com:
"that's a damned neat trick for a phone to be able to do." 

Features:
* Sonic distance measurement up to 60 feet
* Set Units to feet, inches, or meters
* Custom saved settings for measuring in different environments

If you're a teacher, this app is a great way to teach students the principles of sonar, and how sound propagates through air.

** Watch a demo video here: http://bit.ly/sonarvideo

** German/Japanese subtitles here: http://bit.ly/sonarvid

Enjoy!

Follow us on twitter @laanlabs


*This is an experimental app, although it can be quite accurate, any measurements taken should be verified before using them.

Note: Use with iPads requires some adjustment to the chirp boundaries

## Key features

- Sonic distance measurement
- Up to 60 feet range
- Selectable units (feet, inches, meters)
- Custom saved settings
- Educational sonar demonstration

## What do users think of Sonar Ruler?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 💡 Innovative sonar technology using iPhone hardware
- 🎯 Accurate measurements when used correctly (±0.5-1 inch)
- 📚 Educational value for learning sound principles
- 🎮 Fun novelty app for impressing friends
- ⚙️ Customizable settings for different environments
- 🔊 Works with external speakers for better results
- 📏 Supports both metric and imperial measurements

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes immediately on many iPhone models
- ❌ Doesn't work on older iPhone generations (iPhone 4, 4S, 5)
- 🔊 Highly sensitive to background noise and interference
- 😕 Steep learning curve and unintuitive interface
- ⚠️ Inconsistent and unreliable measurements
- 📖 Poor documentation and unclear instructions
- 🔧 Requires excessive tweaking and calibration
- 🚫 Incompatible with protective cases
- 😞 No developer support or response to issues
- 🎯 Multiple ghost echoes confuse measurements
- 📱 Device-dependent performance varies significantly

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes within 3 seconds of opening on iPhone 6 and older models
- Won't open on iOS 8.4 and later versions
- No chirping sound emitted on some devices
- Feedback loop and screaming noise on certain hardware
- Phone locks up requiring hard restart
- Broken help video URL
- Measurements lock at same distance regardless of location
- Metric mode produces incorrect readings
- Incompatible with iPhone 4S, 5, and first-generation devices
- Inconsistent performance across different iPhone models

**Most requested features**

- Room mapping by rotating phone in circle
- Vertical distance measurement capability
- Better ambient noise filtering
- Clearer, more intuitive user interface
- Optimized default settings (frequency, filter, chirp)
- Larger, easier-to-manipulate sliders
- iPod Touch compatibility
- Automatic zoom functionality for measurements
- Visual indicator for when to use short vs long distance mode
- Better help video and documentation
- Accessibility features for blind users

## Recent user reviews (10 of 168)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sonar-ruler/id324621243/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Works for me

*2020-08-28*

Interesting app. shows principles of sound ranging. Ok in metric and imperial.  Ok, it’s a bit quirky and there are lots of ghost echoes at distances other than the “real” one but overall it works for me.  Needs better information on what is on the screen and the tweaks that can be done.

### 2/5 — Interesting, but couldn’t get it to work

*2018-12-28*

Bought it just out of curiosity, and it looks like it’s doing something. There are a lot of adjustments you can do, and I didn’t spend too much time trying to figure it out. It seems to lock in at the same distances regardless of where it’s used. I’m wondering if my older phone (iPhone 6) just doesn’t have what it takes.

### 5/5 — Very accurate

*2017-08-09*

Down to the decimal accuracy. Just point it at a wall and get the distance. Once it is calibrated right it is very accurate!

### 1/5 — 完全看不懂也没法用啊

*2017-06-30*

首先是英文，然后是什么单位也不知道反正不是厘米，最后测试的话其实也根本看不出来距离，最后今天早上干脆罢工了，就这还要钱？？？

### 1/5 — Crash within 3 seconds

*2017-01-08, version 1.0*

Tried uninstalling and reinstalling on my iPhone 6 several times but the program exits after 3 seconds every time. Would have been interested to "experiment".

### 1/5 — Won't Open on iPhone 6

*2016-10-30, version 1.0*

Bought in October 2016. Will not open on iPhone 6 running 10.0.2. Contacted developer but no response!  Want my money back.

### 2/5 — Saudi Arabia

*2016-08-24, version 1.0*

Sonar Ruler The program does not open and close the same

### 1/5 — iPhone6で起動しません

*2016-07-27*

iPhone6で起動しません

### 1/5 — 起動しない

*2016-07-14*

iPhoneSEにて起動しません

金返せ

### 1/5 — Junk

*2016-04-14*

How do I get my money back on this piece of junk?

## Frequently asked questions about Sonar Ruler

### What does Sonar Ruler do?

Sonar Ruler is an experimental application that utilizes your iPhone's speaker to emit sonic pulses. By measuring the time it takes for these pulses to bounce off an object and return as an echo, the app estimates the distance to that object. It's designed to demonstrate the principles of sonar in an innovative way.

### What are the key features of Sonar Ruler?

The app offers sonic distance measurement with a range of up to 60 feet. Users can select their preferred units, choosing between feet, inches, or meters. It also allows for custom saved settings, enabling users to configure measurements for different environments.

### How much does Sonar Ruler cost?

Sonar Ruler is a paid application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements within the app, providing a straightforward purchase experience for users.

### What devices is Sonar Ruler compatible with?

Sonar Ruler is designed for iPhones and can be used with iPads, though iPads may require some adjustment to the chirp boundaries for optimal performance. The app leverages specific iPhone hardware for its functionality.

### What are some common use cases for Sonar Ruler?

This app is great for teachers looking to demonstrate sonar principles and sound propagation to students. It's also useful for anyone curious about the innovative uses of smartphone hardware or for a fun, experimental way to measure distances in a casual setting.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 1.21 — 2017-05-04

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.

Fixes launch crash 
Improved measuring
Other bugfixes

### 1.0 — 2009-08-05

No release notes.

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## More apps by Laan Labs

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All apps by Laan Labs: https://appshunter.io/developer/310916919

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*