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Description
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Inputs
Tip: Paste "Latitude, Longitude" into either field, such as 35.6812, 139.7671, and the tool splits it into both fields.
How to use (3 steps)
- Enter the latitude and longitude of point 1 and point 2.
- Select the model (WGS84/sphere) and distance unit.
- Press "Calculate" to check the results and calculation steps, then share them with "Copy share link".
Example: Tokyo Station to Osaka Station
Use this real-world pair as a initial render check before the runtime results update. It is useful for comparing WGS84 and sphere model output without changing the page state on load.
| Point 1 | Tokyo Station |
|---|---|
| Point 1 coordinates | 35.681382, 139.766084 |
| Point 2 | Osaka Station |
| Point 2 coordinates | 34.7028662, 135.4947431 |
| Model | WGS84 recommended, sphere model available for comparison |
| Use | Distance, initial bearing, final bearing, and midpoint sanity check |
Results
Calculation flow
- Sphere (great circle): Calculates distance with the haversine formula and bearing with spherical trigonometry (R=6371008.8m).
- WGS84 (ellipsoid): Finds distance, bearing, and waypoint by geodesic calculation using constants (a=6378137m, f=1/298.257223563).
- Bearing is measured from true north (0°=north, 90°=east) and normalized to 0 to 360°.
FAQ
What is the difference between a sphere (great circle) and WGS84 (ellipsoid)?
The sphere model is an approximation that treats the Earth as a sphere with a constant radius. WGS84 is an ellipsoid that takes into account the collapse (flatness) of the Earth, allowing you to obtain more realistic distances and directions.
Why are the initial bearing and final bearing different?
Over long distances, the course changes gradually along the Earth's curved surface, so the bearing at departure and the bearing at arrival may not match.
Can calculations be made near the international date line (±180°)?
It can be calculated. Please enter the longitude in the range -180 to 180.
Where can I check my latitude and longitude?
In a map app such as Google Maps, right-click a place, or long-press it on a phone, to copy the decimal latitude and longitude. Paste that value into this tool.
Is altitude also taken into account?
No. This tool calculates distance and bearing on the Earth's surface with a sphere or ellipsoid model. Use a separate 3D distance calculation when altitude differences matter.
Can this result be used for final surveying and navigation decisions?
This tool is intended for learning and rough estimates. For applications that require high precision, use specialized surveying or GIS software and official data.
Related tools
- Geology/Environment (Map/Topography (Geodetic/Slope/Curvature))
- Solar altitude, direction, sunrise/sunset, day length
- Distance to horizon / drop in earth curvature (refraction coefficient k)
- Terrain: Slope gradient (degrees/%), elevation difference, line of sight gradient
- Tidal/diurnal cycle: sunrise/sunset + moon phase + tide (data linkage)
Comments
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