Distance Between Coordinates Calculator
What is Great Circle Distance Calculation?
The Haversine formula calculates the shortest distance between two points on a sphere using their latitude and longitude coordinates. This method is essential for navigation, GPS systems, and geographic information systems (GIS), providing accurate results for Earth’s spherical shape.
Haversine Formula Explained
The formula accounts for Earth’s curvature using trigonometric functions:
a = sin²(Δφ/2) + cos φ1 ⋅ cos φ2 ⋅ sin²(Δλ/2) c = 2 ⋅ atan2(√a, √(1−a)) d = R ⋅ c
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| φ | Latitude | Degrees | -90 to 90 |
| λ | Longitude | Degrees | -180 to 180 |
| R | Earth radius | 6371 km (average) | 6356-6378 km |
Practical Examples
Example 1: New York to London
Inputs: 40.7128°N 74.0060°W to 51.5074°N 0.1278°W
Result: 5,585 km (3,470 miles)
Example 2: Sydney to Tokyo
Inputs: 33.8688°S 151.2093°E to 35.6762°N 139.6503°E
Result: 7,829 km (4,865 miles)
Using the Calculator
- Enter decimal degree coordinates for both points
- Select preferred measurement unit
- Click Calculate to get great circle distance
- Results show direct distance, bearing angle, and midpoint
Factors Affecting Accuracy
- Earth’s ellipsoidal shape variation
- Altitude differences
- Coordinate system precision
- Magnetic declination
- Atmospheric refraction
- Geodetic datum used
FAQ
How accurate is this calculator?
Accurate to within 0.5% for most Earth locations using average Earth radius.
Can I use different coordinate formats?
Input must be decimal degrees. Convert DMS to decimal first.
Why different results from GPS devices?
Devices may use local geoid models or account for elevation.
How does unit conversion work?
1 km = 0.621371 miles = 0.539957 nautical miles
What’s the maximum calculable distance?
Up to 20,037 km (Earth’s half-circumference)
How are polar coordinates handled?
Formula automatically adjusts for latitude extremes.
What about antimeridian crossing?
Longitude values wrap correctly between -180° and 180°.
Why include bearing angle?
Shows initial travel direction for navigation purposes.