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Latitude Longitude Distance Calculator Decimal Degrees

Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team

This calculator determines the distance between two points on Earth's surface using their latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal degrees. It's useful for navigation, geography, and distance measurements in various applications.

How to Use This Calculator

To calculate the distance between two points:

  1. Enter the latitude and longitude of the first point in decimal degrees
  2. Enter the latitude and longitude of the second point in decimal degrees
  3. Select the unit of measurement (kilometers or miles)
  4. Click "Calculate Distance"
  5. View the result and optional visualization

The calculator uses the Haversine formula to provide accurate distance measurements between geographic coordinates.

Formula Explained

The distance between two points on Earth's surface can be calculated using the Haversine formula:

a = sin²(Δφ/2) + cos φ₁ ⋅ cos φ₂ ⋅ sin²(Δλ/2)

c = 2 ⋅ atan2(√a, √(1−a))

d = R ⋅ c

Where:

  • φ₁, φ₂ = latitude of points 1 and 2 in radians
  • Δφ = φ₂ - φ₁
  • Δλ = λ₂ - λ₁ (difference in longitude in radians)
  • R = Earth's radius (6,371 km or 3,959 miles)

This formula accounts for the Earth's curvature and provides accurate distance measurements between geographic coordinates.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Distance Between New York and London

Coordinates:

  • New York: 40.7128° N, 74.0060° W
  • London: 51.5074° N, 0.1278° W

Calculation:

  1. Convert degrees to radians
  2. Apply the Haversine formula
  3. Multiply by Earth's radius

Result: Approximately 5,570 km (3,461 miles)

Example 2: Distance Between Sydney and Tokyo

Coordinates:

  • Sydney: 33.8688° S, 151.2093° E
  • Tokyo: 35.6762° N, 139.6503° E

Calculation:

  1. Convert degrees to radians
  2. Apply the Haversine formula
  3. Multiply by Earth's radius

Result: Approximately 7,810 km (4,853 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between decimal degrees and degrees-minutes-seconds?
Decimal degrees represent latitude and longitude as single numbers (e.g., 40.7128°), while degrees-minutes-seconds use separate values for degrees, minutes, and seconds (e.g., 40°42'46"N). This calculator uses decimal degrees for simplicity and precision.
Why does the Earth's curvature affect distance calculations?
The Earth is an oblate spheroid, not a perfect sphere. The Haversine formula accounts for this curvature by calculating the great-circle distance between two points, which is the shortest distance over the Earth's surface.
Can this calculator measure distances underwater or underground?
No, this calculator measures distances along the Earth's surface. For underwater or underground measurements, specialized tools and formulas would be required.
What is the maximum distance this calculator can measure?
The maximum distance is half the Earth's circumference (approximately 20,030 km or 12,448 miles), which is the distance between antipodal points.
How accurate are the distance measurements?
The calculator provides accurate measurements within a few meters, depending on the precision of the input coordinates and the Earth's radius used in the calculation.