Google rolled out a small but significant update to Google Maps Tuesday, which allows you to measure the exact distance between two or more points on a map.

The search giant announced the new feature — currently limited to the desktop version of Maps — in a post on its Google+ page.

See also: How to Get the Most Out of the New Google Maps

Previously, Google Maps displayed distances when you searched for directions, but it would only tell you the distance along the planned route — not the exact distance between the starting and final destinations. For example, you might search for directions to a restaurant that's exactly 3 miles away (if you draw a straight line), but the route Google provides for driving directions might actually be 3.5 miles.

Now, desktop Maps users can measure exact distances between two or more points — even if there's no road, or viable walking or driving route — which will be particularly helpful for planning jogging paths and bike rides on a map. You can even draw characters and shapes for fun (as Google did to demonstrate the new feature).

To start using the new distance-measuring tool, right click on any point on your map, and select "measure distance." Then click on another point on the map to create a path, and you will see the distance between the selected points. You can also select multiple points to measure distances between several different places. Finally, you can view the total distance between your points in Maps' search bar in the top lefthand corner of the page.