Elevation & Terrain · 41 free tools
Elevation Finders and Earth Geometry Calculators
Terrain questions start with a height. Use the elevation finder to read the ground elevation at a coordinate or address, the elevation profile when the shape of the ground along a route matters more than one number, and the horizon distance calculator once observer height enters the problem.
Elevation data is a model, not a survey. Public terrain datasets sample the ground at a fixed resolution, so a value at a point is an interpolation between samples; cliffs, cuttings, bridges and buildings are smoothed away or misrepresented. That resolution is usually finer than the error in the question you are asking, but it matters for line-of-sight calculations and for anything engineering-adjacent. Visibility results here also assume a standard atmospheric refraction coefficient, which the page states, and they cannot know about trees, structures or weather.
For sun angles at the same spot, including shadow length and golden hour, continue to the sun and moon hub; for distance along a route rather than through the air, use the distance calculators. Elevation profiles inside GPX files are handled by the GIS file tools.
Start with these
The three tools that answer the most common question in this cluster. Each page states its method, coverage and limits.
All elevation & terrain tools
Every tool in this cluster is linked from this page, so nothing here depends on a search box or a JavaScript menu to be reachable.
Elevation Finder
Elevation above sea level for any point on Earth.
WorldwideElevation Profile
PopularDraw a route on the map — get its elevation chart.
WorldwideHorizon Distance
How far is the geometric horizon from your eye height.
WorldwideAir Pressure by Elevation Calculator
Estimate standard atmospheric pressure at a selected elevation.
WorldwideAntenna Height for Distance Calculator
Estimate antenna height needed for a target radio-horizon distance.
WorldwideAverage Elevation Gain Per Kilometer
Calculate average climbing gain per kilometer and an approximate average grade.
WorldwideBoiling Point by Elevation Calculator
Estimate how water boiling temperature changes with elevation.
WorldwideCentral Angle From Distance Calculator
Convert spherical surface distance into a central angle for a chosen Earth radius.
WorldwideCicada Emergence Map
Explore possible state-level broods and a limited sample of historical observations.
US focusedClimate Zone Finder
Köppen-style climate zone context for a location.
WorldwideContour Line Count Calculator
Estimate the number of contour intervals across an elevation range.
WorldwideEarth Arc Length Calculator
Calculate spherical surface arc length from central angle and Earth radius.
WorldwideEarth Bulge Calculator
Estimate Earth curvature bulge at the midpoint of a sightline.
WorldwideEarth Chord Length Calculator
Calculate the straight chord through a sphere from central angle and radius.
WorldwideEarth Circumference at Latitude
Estimate the circumference of a latitude parallel and length of one degree of longitude.
WorldwideEarth Curvature Calculator
Estimate geometric drop caused by Earth's curvature over a surface distance.
WorldwideElevation Feet to Meters Converter
Convert an elevation in feet into metres and kilometres.
WorldwideElevation Meters to Feet Converter
Convert an elevation in metres into feet and miles.
WorldwideFlood Zone Check
Check flood-zone style risk context for a US location.
US focusedFresnel Clearance Percentage Calculator
Calculate available clearance as a percentage of the first Fresnel radius.
WorldwideFresnel Zone Calculator
Estimate first Fresnel-zone radius at the midpoint of a radio link.
WorldwideHidden Height by Earth Curvature Calculator
Estimate how much height may be hidden by curvature over distance.
WorldwideLine of Sight Helper
Combine horizon distance and elevation for basic sightline planning.
WorldwideMap Tunnel
Dig straight through the Earth — see where you come out.
WorldwideMy Elevation
One-tap GPS elevation — how high you are right now, in feet and meters.
WorldwidePeak Elevation Lookup
Check elevation at summits and viewpoints on the map.
WorldwidePlant Hardiness Zone
USDA-style plant hardiness zone for gardening planning.
US focusedPressure Altitude Calculator
Estimate pressure altitude from station pressure and reference sea-level pressure.
WorldwideRadio Line-of-Sight Calculator
Estimate horizon-limited radio line of sight from two antenna heights.
WorldwideRainfall Totals Map
Map modelled precipitation totals over selected dates; includes snow water equivalent.
WorldwideRecent Earthquakes Map
Browse recent earthquake activity on a map with magnitude context.
WorldwideRelief Ratio Calculator
Calculate terrain relief ratio from elevation range and horizontal distance.
WorldwideSlope & Gradient Calculator
Convert rise and run into percent grade, slope angle and ratio.
WorldwideSlope Grade Calculator
Relate elevation change and run distance to approximate grade.
WorldwideSlope Length Calculator
Calculate true slope length from horizontal run and vertical rise.
WorldwideSnowfall Totals Map (Season Archive)
Explore modelled snowfall totals for a completed December–March season around a point.
WorldwideTemperature Change by Elevation Calculator
Estimate temperature change with elevation using a standard lapse rate.
WorldwideTemperature Lapse Rate Calculator
Estimate temperature change with elevation using the standard atmospheric lapse rate.
WorldwideTerrain Elevation Grid Map
Map the slopes around a point, cell by cell, from a 9×9 elevation sample.
WorldwideVertical Speed Calculator
Calculate vertical ascent or descent rate from elevation change and elapsed time.
WorldwideWatershed Finder
See watershed / drainage context for a map point.
US focusedWorld Elevation Atlas
Sample a 7×7 grid of real elevations around any point on Earth.
WorldwideLearn more about elevation & terrain
Guides explain the method behind these numbers, the cases where it misleads, and how to choose between two tools that look interchangeable.
- How to Find Elevation on Google MapsCheck the elevation of any spot on Google Maps — desktop, mobile, and the precise method with exact numbers.Read the guide →
- How Far Can You See? The Quiet Math of HorizonsFrom a beach, a cliff or a cabin deck: horizon distance, observer height and terrain all matter. A practical walk through visibility math.Read the guide →
You may also need
These clusters answer the questions that usually follow a elevation and terrain tools result.
Best-of lists in this cluster
- Best Online Geographic Calculators
Choose the calculator that names its model. The number matters less than knowing whether it came from a sphere, a network or a Census polygon.
About this hub
41 tools are grouped here because they answer the same family of questions. Every result is produced in your browser from the method stated on its own page; for legal, surveying, safety-critical or regulated decisions, verify the answer with the responsible authority.