Pixel Winch is a screen measurement app with a unique approach – rather than overlaying complicated controls on top of your existing workflow, it uses an interface similar to a traditional image editor.
In 2023, I decided to remove Pixel Winch from Apple's Mac App Store due to incompatibilities with macOS Ventura.
Downloads
Due to Apple's ever-increasing restrictions on the Screen Recording API, I cannot guarantee compatibility with macOS Sequoia or later.
For the curious, the source code to Pixel Winch is available on GitHub.
Usage
Select a region on the screen to load it inside of Pixel Winch. The captured region will automatically magnify on your display. Take measurements using any combination of the included tools.
Use the Grapple Tool to quickly measure solid color and gradients. Click to measure a solid color. Click and drag-up to “power up” the grapple and measure a gradient.
Use the Rectangle Tool to draw rectangles on top of the captured image. Rectangles display their measurements and can be moved or resized. They also stop grapples, allowing quick measurements around complex shapes.
Click and drag from either ruler to place horizontal or vertical guides. Use them alone to perform quick alignment checks, or use them in combination with grapples for complex measurements (especially those involving text baselines).
Pixel Winch includes standard tools found in most image editors. The Zoom Tool magnifies the canvas up to 6400% while the Hand Tool enables fast panning. Use the Marquee Tool to copy parts of the image and the Move Tool to select and move existing shapes.
View the Quick Guide for comprehensive details about each tool.
Additional Features
- Industry-standard tools and keyboard shortcuts
- Support for Retina displays and multiple monitors
- Select 1x, 2x, or 3x scale mode for all measurements
- Stores all previous screenshots and measurements
- Automatically deletes stored screenshots after a customized time interval
- Customizable colors for guides, lines, and rectangles
- Global keyboard shortcuts for Capture Selection and Show Screenshots