UK catchment and planning radius rules
In UK town planning and school admissions, straight-line distance ("as the crow flies") from home to school or boundary is the standard measurement metric.
This tool converts radius distances into square miles, square kilometres, and UK acres, with travel estimates for walking, cycling, and driving.
Worked example: 3-mile school catchment zone
A 3-mile radius covers 28.27 square miles (18,096 acres) with an 18.85-mile boundary.
Walking distance to the perimeter takes approximately 58 minutes at standard pace.
UK map radius inputs
01
Radius Distance
Distance in miles or kilometres.
CALCULATOR QUESTIONS
UK radius distance & area calculator questions
How does school catchment straight-line distance work in the UK?
Most UK councils calculate straight-line distance from the child’s front door to the school gate using Ordnance Survey coordinates.