A few days ago, a friend of mine mentioned to me (very excitedly) that he heard there was an iPhone app that turns your phone into a level.  Not being a “tool guy” the proper application of an app like this didn’t interest me so much, but it did sound kinda cool. Really I was just fascinated to see how it works.

So off to the App store I went with my iPod Touch in search of such an app. I stumbled across the iHandy Level app. It had a decent rating and best of all it was free. (Otherwise my interest would have died right there…)

Anyway, I downloaded the app and it found it worked really well. It’s really simple. The instructions are very clear and thorough.

You simply calibrate the device by laying along a flat surface and pressing the calibrate button and you are ready to use it. And you can re-calibrate any time you may need it. (This, of course, assumes you have a truly level surface available to calibrate the device)

There is also a Hold button that freezes the level in place so you can read it.

Tap release remove the hold and use the level again. You can use horizontally, or face up like the example below.

There are a few customizable settings.

I certainly don’t think this will replace a real level in a real carpenter’s toolbox, but I thought it was kinda cool. Maybe impress some friends if nothing else.

If you are really into the iHandy Level app, you may want to try there entire suite of Carpenter apps. Currently, for $1.99 you can get the Protractor, Plumb Bob, Ruler, Surface Level, along with the free Level Bar.

I haven’t tried any of the others, but based on my limited experience with iHandy Level, I’d might give them a shot if I ever felt the need for such apps.

Overall, I give it 4 cups of coffee out of 5. it’s simple, it works, and best of all, it’s free.

Get iHandy Level from the App store.