How to measure the drive shaft..... not "for the ideal driveshaft"

you measure a to a. Also make sure car is on ground as you where driving it/ level.
Ok, i understand why a car should be level for the "find the best custom length" measurement, which is exactly what I am not doing. But, to measure the distance A to A can be done off the car and with no u-joints installed, which is the case I have now. I want to measure the driveshaft length and determine which one I have.