Degrees Latitude to Feet Calculator

This calculator converts degrees of latitude to feet, providing the linear distance between two points on Earth's surface at a given latitude. Understanding this conversion is essential for construction, navigation, and geographic measurements.

How to Use This Calculator

To convert degrees of latitude to feet:

Enter the number of degrees in the input field
Select whether you want to convert from degrees to feet or vice versa
Click the "Calculate" button
View the result in the output field

The calculator uses Earth's radius as a reference point for the conversion. You can also visualize the conversion with the interactive chart.

How Latitude Conversion Works

Latitude measures how far north or south a point is from the Equator. One degree of latitude is approximately 69 miles (111 kilometers) at the Equator, but this distance decreases as you move towards the poles.

Formula

Distance in feet = Degrees × 364,560

This formula assumes a spherical Earth with a radius of 3,959 miles (6,371 kilometers).

The conversion is based on the fact that Earth's circumference is approximately 24,901 miles (40,075 kilometers). Dividing this by 360 degrees gives us approximately 69.17 miles per degree at the Equator.

Note

This calculation provides an approximation. Actual distances may vary slightly due to Earth's ellipsoidal shape and local terrain.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Converting 1 Degree to Feet

Using the formula:

1 degree × 364,560 feet/degree = 364,560 feet

So, 1 degree of latitude is approximately 364,560 feet.

Example 2: Converting 5 Degrees to Feet

Using the formula:

5 degrees × 364,560 feet/degree = 1,822,800 feet

So, 5 degrees of latitude is approximately 1,822,800 feet.

Example 3: Converting 0.5 Degrees to Feet

Using the formula:

0.5 degrees × 364,560 feet/degree = 182,280 feet

So, 0.5 degrees of latitude is approximately 182,280 feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the distance per degree of latitude change?

The distance per degree of latitude changes because Earth is not a perfect sphere. It's an oblate spheroid, meaning it's wider at the Equator and narrower at the poles. This causes the distance between latitude lines to decrease as you move towards the poles.

Is this calculation accurate for all latitudes?

This calculation provides a good approximation for most purposes. For highly precise measurements, especially near the poles, more complex calculations that account for Earth's ellipsoidal shape should be used.

Can I use this calculator for navigation purposes?

While this calculator provides a useful approximation, it's not suitable for precise navigation. For navigation purposes, you should use more sophisticated methods that account for Earth's curvature and local terrain.

What is the difference between latitude and longitude?

Latitude measures how far north or south a point is from the Equator, while longitude measures how far east or west a point is from the Prime Meridian. Together, they define any point on Earth's surface.