Lat Long Degrees to Meters Calculator
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Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team
This calculator converts latitude and longitude coordinates from degrees to meters, showing the distance between two points on Earth's surface. It's useful for mapping, navigation, and geographic calculations.
How to Use This Calculator
To calculate the distance between two points using latitude and longitude coordinates:
- Enter the latitude and longitude of the first point in decimal degrees
- Enter the latitude and longitude of the second point in decimal degrees
- Click the "Calculate" button
- View the distance in meters
The calculator uses the Haversine formula to account for Earth's curvature, providing accurate distance measurements.
Formula Used
Haversine Formula
The distance d between two points (lat1, lon1) and (lat2, lon2) on Earth's surface is calculated using:
a = sin²(Δlat/2) + cos(lat1) * cos(lat2) * sin²(Δlon/2)
c = 2 * atan2(√a, √(1−a))
d = R * c
Where R is Earth's radius (6,371 km), Δlat is the difference in latitude, and Δlon is the difference in longitude.
Assumptions
- Earth is a perfect sphere with radius 6,371 km
- Coordinates are in decimal degrees
- Calculations are approximate due to Earth's ellipsoidal shape
Worked Examples
Example 1: Distance Between Two Points
Calculate the distance between:
- Point A: 40.7128° N, 74.0060° W (New York City)
- Point B: 34.0522° N, 118.2437° W (Los Angeles)
The calculator shows approximately 3,935,756 meters (3,936 km).
Example 2: Small Distance Calculation
Calculate the distance between:
- Point A: 51.5074° N, 0.1278° W (London)
- Point B: 51.5154° N, 0.1419° W (nearby location)
The calculator shows approximately 1,250 meters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between degrees and meters in coordinates?
Degrees measure angular distance on a sphere, while meters measure linear distance. One degree of latitude is approximately 111 km, but this varies with longitude.
Why does the calculator use the Haversine formula?
The Haversine formula accounts for Earth's curvature, providing more accurate distance measurements than simple Euclidean distance calculations.
How accurate are the results?
Results are accurate to within about 0.3% due to Earth's ellipsoidal shape. For precise measurements, professional GIS software should be used.