Help
Learn how to use SizeOnMap.com and find answers to common questions
Table of Contents
Getting Started
Step 1: Add Territories
Start by adding territories to your map. When the map is empty, you'll see quick add buttons for popular territories. You can also click "Add any territory" to open the search dialog, or use the "Add Territory" button to browse all available territories.
Step 2: Position and Compare
Once territories are added, drag them around the map to position them side by side. This reveals their true relative sizes without map projection distortion. You can also group territories together so they move and rotate as a single unit.
Territory Controls
Controls: Move, Rotate, Zoom to Fit, Lock, Hide, Reset, and Remove
Mode description appears on a separate line below the buttons
Moving Territories
Click and drag any territory to move it around the map.
Rotating Territories
Right-click and drag to rotate, or switch to "Rotate" mode for left-click rotation.
Step 3: Customize and Share
Use territory controls to customize colors, interaction modes, and visibility. You can also group territories together to keep related comparisons linked. Then share your comparison using the share tool.
Territory Picker
Click the "Add Territory" button to open the territory picker in a dialog (desktop) or drawer (mobile). The picker shows all available territories organized by type, with a search function to quickly find specific territories.
Add Territory
Search for territories to add to the map or browse all available territories below.
Geographic Entities (42)
Search Functionality
Type in the search box to filter territories by name. The list updates in real-time as you type.
Browse by Type
Territories are organized into categories: Geographic Entities, Countries, Territories/Provinces, and Disputed Territories. Scroll through each section to find what you need.
Note: The dialog automatically closes after adding a territory. On mobile devices, the picker appears as a drawer that slides up from the bottom for easy access.
Territory Controls
Each territory you add to the map comes with its own control panel. The controls are organized to keep the most commonly used options easily accessible.
Example: Africa Territory Controls
This is how each territory appears in your list. Drag the grip handle to reorder, click the color circle to change colors, click the pencil icon or territory name to rename it, use the link icon to select for grouping (when you have 2+ territories).
Territory Controls
- Drag Handle: Click and drag to reorder territories in the list
- Move Mode: Allows you to drag the territory around the map
- Rotate Mode: Enables rotation of the territory (right-click to rotate when in move mode)
- Zoom to Fit: Automatically centers and zooms the map to show this territory
- Remove: Deletes the territory from the map
- Color Picker: Click to change the territory's color
- Rename: Click the pencil icon or territory name to rename it. Use the checkmark () to save or X () to cancel.
- Group Link: Click to select this territory for grouping (only appears when you have 2+ territories). Select multiple territories and click "Group" in the header to link them together.
- Lock: Prevents the territory from being moved or rotated. Click again to unlock.
- Hide: Makes the territory invisible on the map while keeping it in your list. Click again to show.
- Reset Location: Returns the territory to its original position and rotation
- Zoom to Fit: Centers and zooms the map to show this territory. When viewing territories in the dialog, this also closes the dialog automatically.
Grouping Territories
Grouping allows you to link multiple territories together so they move and rotate as a single unit. This is perfect for creating complex comparisons or keeping related territories together.
How to Create a Group
To group territories together, you need at least two territories on your map. Each territory will have a link icon button next to its color picker.
- Click the link icon () next to the color picker for each territory you want to group
- Selected territories will be highlighted, and a "Group" button will appear in the "On Map" section header
- Click the "Group" button to create the group
- The group will be created with a name combining all member territories (e.g., "France+Germany+Spain")
On Map (3)
Working with Groups
Once created, groups behave like single territories. You can move, rotate, and customize them just like individual territories.
Moving Groups
Click and drag a group to move all its members together. They maintain their relative positions within the group.
Rotating Groups
Rotate a group to rotate all its members around the group's center point. This is useful for aligning multiple territories.
Merging Groups
You can merge existing groups with other territories or groups. Simply select the group (using its link icon) along with other territories, then click "Group" to create a new combined group.
Group Colors
Each group gets a unique random color when created, just like individual territories. You can change a group's color using the color picker, just like any other territory.
Map Controls
The top-right corner of the map contains a vertical button group with four controls:
Fullscreen
Hides the interface for distraction-free viewing and presenting
Screenshot
Captures 1200×800px screenshots with options to view, download, or share
Share
Opens a dialog to copy URL or share on social media
Map Theme
Toggles between light and dark map themes
Map Zooming
The map can be zoomed using several intuitive methods:
- Mouse Wheel: Scroll up to zoom in, scroll down to zoom out
- Double-Click: Double-click the map to zoom in
- Pinch Gesture: Use two fingers to pinch zoom on touch devices
- Zoom to Fit: Use the zoom button in territory controls to center on a specific territory
Legend
The legend appears in the bottom-left corner when territories are added. Click the minimize button (chevron down icon) to collapse it into a compact button, or click the button to expand it again.
SizeOnMap.com Legend
Navigation Tools
Tools Drawer
When you scroll down past the map area, a tools drawer automatically appears at the bottom of your screen. This provides quick access to territory controls without having to scroll back up.
Managing Territories
When you have territories added to your map, you can manage them using the action buttons on the main page or by opening the "Manage Territories on the Map" dialog.
Manage Territories Dialog
Click "Manage Territories on the Map" to open a dialog (desktop) or drawer (mobile) showing all your territories with full controls. The dialog allows you to reorder, customize, and manage all territories in one place.
Remove All
The "Remove All" button on the main page opens a confirmation dialog before removing all territories from your map. This action cannot be undone.
Navbar Toggle
You can hide and show the navigation bar to maximize your screen space for map viewing. The toggle button appears next to the theme switcher in both desktop and mobile views.
Hide Navbar
Click the chevron up icon (↑) to hide the navigation bar and gain more screen space for your map. The navbar smoothly slides up out of view.
Show Navbar
When hidden, a floating menu button appears at the top center of the screen. Click it to smoothly slide the navigation bar back down.
Optimized Mobile Navigation
These navigation tools are designed to work seamlessly across all devices, with special optimizations for mobile users who need to scroll between different sections of the interface.
- Add territories using the search tool above the map
- Scroll down to see your territories in the "On Map" section
- Use the tools drawer (appears automatically) for quick access to controls
- Click "Back to Map" to return to the map area
- Repeat as needed for easy navigation between sections
FAQ
Why do countries look different sizes on traditional maps?
Traditional maps use the Mercator projection, which distorts sizes. Countries near the poles appear much larger than they actually are.
Can I compare more than two territories?
Yes, add as many territories as you want. Each can be moved, rotated, and customized independently. You can also group territories together so they move and rotate as a single unit.
How do I group territories together?
When you have two or more territories on your map, each will show a link icon button next to its color picker. Click the link icons to select territories, then click the "Group" button that appears in the "On Map" section header. Groups are automatically named by combining member names (e.g., "France+Germany").
How accurate are the size comparisons?
We use equal-area projections for accurate size comparisons. All map projections involve some distortion, but ours minimizes it.
Territories not moving?
Check that the territory's interaction mode is set to "move" (click the three dots in territory controls).
How can I support SizeOnMap.com?
SizeOnMap.com is free and ad-free thanks to supporters like you. You can help keep it running by:
- Making a one-time contribution
- Becoming a monthly supporter
- Sharing SizeOnMap.com with others
Visit our contribute page to learn more about supporting the project.
Troubleshooting
Territories not moving or responding
If territories aren't responding to clicks or drags, check the interaction mode.
- Check that the territory is set to "Move" mode, not "Lock" or "Hidden"
- Look for the Lock and Hide buttons in the territory controls
- Try switching between "Move" and "Rotate" modes to see if that helps
- If a territory is locked, click the Lock button again to unlock it
Map not loading or appears blank
If the map doesn't appear or loads slowly, try these solutions:
- Refresh the page (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R for hard refresh)
- Clear your browser cache and cookies
- Check your internet connection
- Try a different browser or disable browser extensions
Performance issues with many territories
If the map becomes slow with many territories, optimize your setup:
- Remove unused territories from the map
- Use the "Hide" mode instead of deleting territories you might need later
- Zoom out for better performance with many territories
- Close other browser tabs to free up memory
Share links not working
If shared URLs aren't loading the correct map state:
- Make sure you copied the entire URL from the share tool
- Try refreshing the page after pasting the URL
- Check that the URL hasn't been truncated when sharing
- URLs are case-sensitive - copy and paste exactly
Need More Help?
If you couldn't find the answer you're looking for, we're here to help!
Email: support@sizeonmap.com
Contact Form: Visit our contact page
Support SizeOnMap.com
Found this help guide useful? Help keep SizeOnMap.com free and ad-free for everyone.