MATH / SPHERICAL GEOMETRY

Great Circle Distance Calculator

Estimate shortest surface distance between two latitude-longitude points on a sphere. Review the symbolic equation, substituted values, interpretation boundary, and result in one guided workspace.

01 Calculated in this tab
02 Values stay in this browser tab
03 Use boundary

Use boundary

Calculation path

Estimate shortest surface distance between two latitude-longitude points on a sphere. The page evaluates the displayed equation from your supplied values and presents both symbolic and substituted KaTeX working so the arithmetic can be checked.

Calculation path

d=2R asin(sqrt(haversine))

What you provide

First latitude expressed in deg, using the same scenario as the other inputs
First longitude expressed in deg, using the same scenario as the other inputs
Second latitude expressed in deg, using the same scenario as the other inputs
Second longitude expressed in deg, using the same scenario as the other inputs
Sphere radius expressed in km, using the same scenario as the other inputs

What you receive

Great-circle distance in km from the stated equation
A symbolic formula plus substituted working with your values
Visible assumptions, field guidance, and an authoritative learning reference

Use boundary

Choose the maximum decimal places shown. This does not increase source accuracy.

Earth is approximated as a sphere; this is not a road, flight-path, or ellipsoidal geodesic distance.

Use internally consistent units and retain extra precision when carrying the result into another calculation.

Reviewed reference factors

OpenStax Introductory Statistics 2e

Great Circle Distance Calculator

Calculation path

What you provide

What you receive

Choose the maximum decimal places shown. This does not increase source accuracy.

Reviewed reference factors

Related unit tools