Geo Distance Calculator (Haversine Formula)
指导
Geo Distance Calculator
Calculate the exact great-circle distance between two geographic coordinates using the Haversine or Vincenty formula. Enter locations as decimal degrees or DMS (degrees, minutes, seconds), get results in kilometers, miles, nautical miles, meters, and feet — plus initial bearing and an interactive map.
如何使用
Select your input mode (decimal degrees or DMS), enter the latitude and longitude for Point A and Point B, choose the Haversine or Vincenty formula, and the distance results appear instantly. Use the preset city pairs for quick testing. Enable multi-point route mode to calculate total distance across multiple waypoints. The interactive map shows your points and the path between them.
特征
- Haversine Formula – Calculates great-circle distance assuming a perfect sphere (mean Earth radius 6,371 km)
- Vincenty Formula – Higher-accuracy calculation using the WGS-84 oblate ellipsoid model
- 多种单位 – Results in kilometers, miles, nautical miles, meters, and feet
- DMS Input – Enter coordinates as degrees, minutes, seconds with compass direction
- Initial Bearing – Shows the compass heading from Point A to Point B
- Interactive Map – Leaflet.js-powered map displaying both points and the connecting path
- Multi-Point Routing – Add waypoints to calculate cumulative route distance
- Preset City Pairs – Quick-select common routes like New York to London
常问问题
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What is the Haversine formula and when should I use it?
The Haversine formula calculates the shortest distance between two points on a sphere using their latitudes and longitudes. It assumes Earth is a perfect sphere with radius 6,371 km. It is accurate to within about 0.3% for most practical distances and is the standard formula for navigation and mapping applications.
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How does the Vincenty formula differ from Haversine?
The Vincenty formula models Earth as an oblate ellipsoid (WGS-84) rather than a perfect sphere. This accounts for the fact that Earth is slightly flattened at the poles, providing accuracy to within 0.5 mm. It is preferred for geodetic surveying and high-precision applications, especially over long distances.
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What is a great-circle distance?
A great-circle distance is the shortest path between two points on the surface of a sphere, measured along the surface. It follows the arc of a great circle, which is a circle whose center coincides with the center of the sphere. Airline flight paths roughly follow great-circle routes to minimize fuel consumption.
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What is initial bearing and how is it calculated?
Initial bearing (or forward azimuth) is the compass direction you would face when starting a journey from Point A toward Point B along the great-circle path. It is calculated using the atan2 function applied to the difference in longitudes and the latitudes of both points. The bearing changes continuously along a great-circle route.
