About GPS Distance Calculator
This tool computes the great-circle distance between two latitude/longitude points using the Haversine formula — the standard method for sphere-surface distance. It also calculates the initial bearing (direction you would head from point 1 to reach point 2). Output is shown in kilometers, miles, and nautical miles. Accuracy is typically within 0.5% of Vincenty (the more complex ellipsoidal method) for any pair of points on Earth.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is great-circle distance?
- The shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere — the path an airplane follows when flying long distances. It is shorter than the equivalent flat-map straight line because Earth is curved.
- Why use the Haversine formula?
- Haversine is numerically stable, simple, and accurate to within ~0.5% for any two points on Earth. Vincenty's formula is more accurate but more complex; the difference rarely matters outside surveying.
- Where do I find lat/lng?
- Right-click any location in Google Maps and the coordinates appear at the top of the menu. Or use our coordinates-to-address tool.
- Does this include road distance?
- No — this is the straight-line great-circle distance. For driving distance, use a routing service like Google Maps or OpenStreetMap.
- What is bearing?
- The initial compass direction (0–360°, with 0° = North) you would head from Point 1 to travel to Point 2 along the great-circle path.