TouchRuler review
A focused measuring utility for Mac, priced at $0.99 one-time.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
For quick measurements against a Mac display or nearby objects, TouchRuler combines an on-screen ruler with a smaller ruler on compatible MacBook Pro Touch Bars. It also provides a Notification Center mini widget that can be dragged onto the desktop or a full-screen app. The feature set is aimed at people who want a compact measuring aid rather than a general-purpose Touch Bar control app.
Calibration is central to the utility: users can choose automatic or manual display calibration, and centimetre labels sit beneath the ruler’s tick marks. The on-screen ruler measures 20 centimetres, while the Touch Bar version measures 12 centimetres on compatible models. Click Pad captures a measurement and copies it to the clipboard. Four themes, transparency adjustment, and floating mode provide ways to adapt the ruler’s appearance and keep it above other windows. These options make the app useful for brief measurements without turning it into a broader control surface.
The published plan lists TouchRuler for a one-time $0.99 and includes the Mac display ruler, Touch Bar ruler, Notification Center mini widget, and manual and automatic calibration. There is no free plan. Its narrow scope is the main trade-off: buyers seeking app launching, media or system controls, shortcuts, or profiles should look for a broader Touch Bar utility. Choose TouchRuler if measuring is the specific job and the compatible hardware is available; otherwise, its specialized ruler may not justify a purchase.
TouchRuler pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Includes a 20-centimetre on-screen ruler and 12-centimetre Touch Bar ruler
- Click Pad captures measurements and copies them to the clipboard
- Offers automatic or manual calibration, four themes, and transparency
- Where it doesn't
- Touch Bar ruler works only on compatible MacBook Pro models
- Focused on measurement rather than Touch Bar controls or customization
- Costs $0.99 one-time, with no free plan
TouchRuler fact sheet, pricing and score →
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