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Formula used
Latitude distance ≈ Δlatitude × local meridional meters per degree.
Longitude distance ≈ Δlongitude × local prime-vertical scale × cos(latitude).
Haversine distance = 2R × asin(√a), using spherical coordinates.
Vincenty iteratively solves an ellipsoidal geodesic using flattening.
Latitude degree lengths vary slightly across Earth. Longitude degree lengths shrink toward both poles. Choose Vincenty whenever higher ellipsoidal accuracy matters most overall.
How to use this calculator
- Select the required conversion or coordinate calculation mode.
- Choose Vincenty, Haversine, rhumb, or local calculations.
- Enter decimal coordinates, distances, bearings, or degree differences.
- Use the DMS helper for traditional coordinate notation.
- Select Earth, elevation, and precision settings when needed.
- Calculate, then copy, print, export, or share results.
Example data
| Example | Input | Suggested mode | Expected interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latitude increment | 0.001° at 40° latitude | Latitude degrees | Roughly 111 meters north or south |
| Longitude increment | 0.001° at 40° latitude | Longitude degrees | Roughly 85 meters east or west |
| GPS coordinate pair | New York to Los Angeles | Coordinate distance | Great-circle or ellipsoidal surface distance |
| Local movement | Nearby survey points | Coordinate offset | Northing, easting, distance, and bearing |
| Reverse conversion | 500 meters at 40° latitude | Meters to degrees | Latitude or longitude angular difference |
| Projected point | 1,000 meters at bearing 90° | Destination | Coordinate located east of the start |
Accuracy and practical limitations
Decimal degrees describe angles, not fixed ground distances. Earth curvature changes scale by latitude and direction. Ellipsoidal methods improve accuracy across longer geographic surface routes.
Local planar calculations suit nearby coordinates and surveys. Haversine provides dependable general spherical distance estimates. Vincenty usually provides better WGS 84 surface results overall.
Frequently asked questions
How many meters equal one decimal degree?
A latitude degree averages about 111 kilometers. Its exact length changes slightly with latitude. Longitude degree length changes much more dramatically.
Why does longitude require a latitude?
Longitude lines converge toward Earth’s geographic poles. Their spacing depends directly on the selected latitude. Near poles, longitude degrees represent very small distances.
Which calculation method should I choose?
Vincenty suits accurate WGS 84 distance calculations. Haversine works well for general geographic estimates. Local calculations suit short distances within one area.
What is the Haversine method?
Haversine finds the central angle between coordinates. It treats Earth as a sphere with radius. Results are reliable for many mapping applications.
What is the Vincenty method?
Vincenty models Earth using a flattened ellipsoid. It iteratively calculates distance and endpoint bearings. Rare antipodal cases may prevent numerical convergence.
What is a rhumb-line distance?
A rhumb route follows one constant compass bearing. It differs from the shortest great-circle route. Navigators sometimes prefer its steady direction.
Can I convert meters back into degrees?
Yes, select the reverse conversion calculation mode. Choose latitude or longitude as the desired axis. Longitude still requires an accurate reference latitude.
Does elevation affect the result?
Elevation increases the effective radius above Earth’s surface. Its impact is usually small for ordinary locations. Advanced settings can include elevation in meters.
Can the calculator cross the Date Line?
Yes, longitude differences use the shortest wrapped direction. The calculation recognizes crossings beyond 180 raw degrees. A warning explains detected Date Line crossings.
Can I enter degrees, minutes, and seconds?
Yes, use the included DMS conversion helper. Select a destination field before applying conversion. The helper inserts a signed decimal-degree value.
What does the batch option accept?
Each line needs four decimal coordinate numbers. Enter start latitude, start longitude, end latitude, longitude. The calculator returns distance and initial bearing.