Distance Calculator
Calculate distance between two points, cities, or coordinates. Supports 2D/3D distance, driving distance estimation, and multiple units including kilometers, miles, meters, and feet.
Enter Your Points
Distance Type
Distance Results
Enter coordinates or addresses to calculate distance.
What is a Distance Calculator?
A Distance Calculator is a geographical tool that measures the spatial separation between two points on Earth's surface. It can calculate straight-line (great circle) distance, driving distance, walking distance, or 3D distance considering elevation changes. These calculations are essential for navigation, logistics, travel planning, and various scientific applications.
Modern distance calculators use mathematical formulas like the Haversine formula for great circle distances and sophisticated routing algorithms for driving distances. Our tool provides multiple calculation methods and supports various units, making it versatile for different needs from simple measurements to complex route planning.
Types of Distance Calculations:
2D Distance (Great Circle)
Straight-line distance on Earth's surface, ignoring elevation. Uses the Haversine formula for spherical Earth calculations.
3D Distance
Includes elevation differences, calculating the actual straight-line distance through 3D space between points at different heights.
Driving Distance
Road network distance following actual streets and highways. Accounts for one-way streets, turn restrictions, and road types.
How to Use This Distance Calculator
- Select Distance Type: Choose between 2D (flat surface), 3D (with elevation), or driving distance
- Enter Locations: Input coordinates (latitude/longitude) or addresses for both starting and destination points
- Set Units: Select your preferred distance unit (km, miles, meters, feet, nautical miles)
- Calculate: Click "Calculate Distance" to get instant results with detailed analysis
- Use Examples: Try quick examples like NYC to LA or London to Paris to see how it works
Distance Formulas Explained
Formula Variables
- • R = Earth's radius (≈ 6,371 km)
- • φ₁, φ₂ = Latitudes in radians
- • λ₁, λ₂ = Longitudes in radians
- • Δφ = φ₂ - φ₁
- • Δλ = λ₂ - λ₁
Haversine Formula
c = 2·atan2(√a, √(1−a))
d = R·c
Why Use This Distance Calculator?
Multiple Calculation Types
2D, 3D, and driving distance calculations in one tool
Global Coverage
Calculate distances anywhere in the world
Multiple Units
Convert between km, miles, meters, feet, and nautical miles
Fast & Accurate
Instant calculations with high precision
Mobile Friendly
Works perfectly on phones, tablets, and computers
Free Tool
No registration or payment required
Distance Unit Conversions
| Unit | Kilometers | Miles | Meters | Feet | Nautical Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Kilometer | 1 | 0.621371 | 1,000 | 3,280.84 | 0.539957 |
| 1 Mile | 1.60934 | 1 | 1,609.34 | 5,280 | 0.868976 |
| 1 Nautical Mile | 1.852 | 1.15078 | 1,852 | 6,076.12 | 1 |
Who Should Use This Distance Calculator?
Travelers & Tourists
- Plan road trips and estimate travel time
- Calculate distances between tourist attractions
- Estimate fuel costs for journeys
Professionals & Businesses
- Logistics and shipping route planning
- Real estate distance measurements
- Surveying and construction planning
Real-World Applications of Distance Calculation
1. Navigation & GPS Systems
Distance calculations form the foundation of GPS navigation, ride-sharing apps, and mapping services that help users find optimal routes.
2. Logistics & Supply Chain
Shipping companies use distance calculations to optimize delivery routes, estimate fuel costs, and schedule shipments efficiently.
3. Sports & Fitness
Athletes use distance tracking for running, cycling, hiking, and swimming to measure performance and plan training routes.
4. Environmental Studies
Scientists calculate distances for wildlife migration patterns, pollution dispersion, and climate change impact assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What's the difference between straight-line and driving distance?
Straight-line distance (also called "as the crow flies") is the shortest distance between two points on Earth's surface, ignoring roads and obstacles. Driving distance follows actual road networks, accounting for highways, streets, and legal routes. Driving distance is always longer than straight-line distance.
How accurate is the distance calculation?
For 2D distances using the Haversine formula, accuracy is within 0.3% for most calculations. The Earth is approximated as a sphere with radius 6,371 km. For higher precision, more complex ellipsoidal models are used, but for most practical applications, the Haversine formula provides sufficient accuracy.
What coordinates format should I use?
Use decimal degrees format (e.g., 40.7128, -74.0060). North and East are positive values, South and West are negative. For example: New York = 40.7128° N, 74.0060° W = 40.7128, -74.0060. Sydney = 33.8688° S, 151.2093° E = -33.8688, 151.2093.
Can I calculate distance with just addresses?
Yes! Enter addresses or city names in the address fields. The calculator will attempt to geocode them to coordinates. For best results with addresses, ensure they're complete and correctly spelled. For cities, include country names for clarity (e.g., "Paris, France" vs "Paris, Texas").
What is a nautical mile and when is it used?
A nautical mile is approximately 1.852 kilometers (1.1508 miles). It's based on Earth's circumference and equals one minute of latitude. It's primarily used in maritime and aviation navigation because it directly relates to latitude lines on nautical charts.
How does elevation affect distance calculation?
For 3D distance calculations, elevation differences are included using the Pythagorean theorem. The formula is: √(horizontal_distance² + elevation_difference²). For example, two points 1 km apart horizontally with 100 m elevation difference have a 3D distance of √(1000² + 100²) = 1005 m.
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