GPS Distance Calculator

GPS Distance Calculator

Calculate distance between two GPS coordinates using Haversine formula. Kilometers, miles, nautical miles.

Distance (Haversine)

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What is GPS Distance Calculation?

GPS Distance Calculation finds the straight-line (great-circle) distance between two points on Earth's surface, given their GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude). Uses the Haversine formula — the standard algorithm in aviation, shipping, GIS, mapping, and location-aware applications. The result represents the shortest distance over the spherical surface, NOT driving distance (which depends on roads). Useful for: real estate proximity searches (radius queries), delivery distance estimation, flight planning, shipping routes, finding nearest stores/services, geofencing in apps, distance-based pricing, training run/cycle route distance.

How to use this tool

  1. Enter Point A coordinates — Latitude and longitude in decimal degrees.
  2. Enter Point B coordinates — Same format.
  3. Calculate distance — Haversine formula applied with Earth radius 6371 km.
  4. View results — Distance in kilometers, miles, and nautical miles.

Haversine formula

a = sin²(Δφ/2) + cosφ₁ · cosφ₂ · sin²(Δλ/2)
c = 2 · atan2(√a, √(1-a))
d = R · c

Where:
φ = latitudes (in radians)
λ = longitudes (in radians)
Δφ = latitude difference
Δλ = longitude difference
R = Earth radius (6371 km)

Why Haversine? Earth is approximately spherical. Naive 2D distance (sqrt of squared differences) underestimates large distances. Haversine accounts for curvature of sphere, giving accurate great-circle distance.

Examples

  • Mumbai to Delhi: 19.08°N 72.88°E to 28.70°N 77.10°E = ~1,156 km
  • New York to London: 40.71°N 74.01°W to 51.51°N 0.13°W = ~5,567 km
  • Bangalore to Chennai: ~290 km straight-line
  • San Francisco to Tokyo: 8,289 km
  • Mt. Everest base camp: 27.99°N 86.93°E from Kathmandu = ~150 km

Tips & best practices

  • Use NEGATIVE longitude for Western hemisphere (USA, UK, Europe west of Greenwich)
  • Use NEGATIVE latitude for Southern hemisphere (Australia, South America, Africa below equator)
  • Decimal degrees preferred over degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS): 19.0760 not 19°4'33.6"N
  • Haversine gives straight-line distance — driving distance is ~20-40% longer typically
  • For flight time: distance / typical speed (e.g., 850 km/h for jets)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this driving distance?

No — straight-line (as-the-crow-flies) distance. Actual driving is longer because of roads. For driving distance use Google Maps or OSM-based services.

How accurate is Haversine?

Very accurate for most uses (under 0.5% error). Assumes Earth is a perfect sphere. For maximum precision (sub-meter), Vincenty's formula accounts for Earth's ellipsoidal shape.

What's nautical mile vs regular mile?

Nautical mile = 1 minute of latitude (~1.852 km), used in aviation/maritime. Regular (statute) mile = 5280 feet (~1.609 km), used in US road distances.

Can I find distance from list of GPS points?

Not in this tool — only 2 points. For multi-point routes, sum pairwise distances or use specialized GIS tools.

Why is great-circle distance shortest?

On a sphere, straight line is curved (great circle — like equator). For long distances (across continents), great-circle is shorter than rhumb line (constant compass heading).

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Time Zone Converter · GEO IP Locator · Length Converter

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