JoseFitani
⛰️ Elevation & Terrain

Elevation Finder

Look up the elevation of any location on Earth in meters and feet.

This page explains how the elevation finder works, the data and formulas behind it, and how to interpret the result. SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) was flown in 2000 and covers 80% of Earth's land surface with 30 m resolution and ~16 m vertical accuracy. In the United States, USGS 3DEP 10 m data is used for better accuracy. The tool is one of 329 free, open tools on JoseFitani for maps and geography. It runs in your browser with no sign-up needed. Use the search field or click the map to drop a pin - the tool uses queries to the Open-Elevation API backed by SRTM 30 m and country-specific DEMs and returns the result in seconds. Below you'll find a step-by-step guide, real use cases, the methodology, FAQs, and data sources.

Important notice

Elevation values come from public elevation data services and are approximate. They are for general information only — do not rely on them for safety-critical decisions such as aviation, surveying, or mountaineering route planning.

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How to use this tool

1
Enter your input

Type your query, paste coordinates, or click on the map. The tool uses queries to the Open-Elevation API backed by SRTM 30 m and country-specific DEMs to process your input locally in the browser.

2
View the result

The result appears instantly with the map showing your location. You can adjust by clicking elsewhere or searching a new place.

3
Copy or share

Click Copy to save to clipboard, or Share to send a direct link with the exact inputs.

What people use this tool for

Hiking route preparation

Trekkers check the elevation of camps and passes before committing to an itinerary. Knowing that a pass sits at 5,400 metres flags the need for acclimatisation days. It also sets expectations for temperature drops and stove fuel use at altitude.

Example: A group planning the Annapurna Circuit looks up the elevation of Thorong Phedi to schedule an extra rest day before the pass crossing.
Cycling climb analysis

Cyclists size up a climb by its summit elevation and the height gained from the valley floor. That vertical gain, paired with the distance, determines gearing and pacing. Looking up both ends of the climb takes seconds and shapes the whole ride plan.

Example: A rider tackling the Stelvio Pass checks the elevations of Bormio and the summit to calculate the 1,500-metre gain before choosing a cassette.
Flood risk sanity check

Homebuyers near the coast compare a property's elevation against local flood maps and storm-surge guidance. A plot sitting at two metres above sea level deserves a harder look at insurance and drainage. The lookup is a first filter, not a substitute for a surveyor's datum.

Example: A buyer in Miami checks a listing's elevation and sees 1.8 metres, which prompts questions about the finished floor height before making an offer.
Construction grading estimates

Builders compare elevations across a site to estimate cut-and-fill volumes before machinery arrives. Sampling corners and the centre reveals the slope of the land. That quick read informs drainage design and foundation depth.

Example: A contractor in the Kathmandu valley samples four corners of a hillside plot to decide where the retaining wall must go.

How it's calculated

Elevation is queried from the open Open-Elevation API, which uses SRTM and other global DEM data.

The calculation runs in your browser - no data is sent to our servers. Map tiles come from OpenStreetMap (ODbL license), geocoding uses Nominatim (1 request/second limit), and elevation uses the Open-Elevation API backed by SRTM data. All are free, open services.

All calculations use the WGS84 datum (EPSG:4326), the same as GPS. For other datums (NAD27, NAD83, ETRS89), a separate conversion is needed. The difference is typically under 1 metre - negligible for most uses but important for survey-grade work.

The formulas match those in professional GIS software (QGIS, ArcGIS, Global Mapper), just in a browser-friendly form. For sub-metre accuracy, use professional software with ellipsoidal calculations. Results are shown in multiple units: km and miles for distance, km²/m²/hectares/acres for area, metres and feet for elevation. Conversion factors are exact (1 mile = 1.609344 km), so the only error source is input precision.

Related tools and resources

For more tools in this category, explore the related tools listed below. Each tool includes full documentation, examples and FAQs. Explore related tools in our Elevation category for complementary functionality. See the Tools index for all 329 tools, or read our blog for in-depth articles on geography and maps.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is this?

SRTM data is accurate to ~16 m vertically in most regions.

Where does the elevation data come from?

This tool queries the Open-Elevation service, which is built on NASA's SRTM radar-mapped terrain data. SRTM measured most of the earth's land surface on a grid of about 30 metres. The value you get is the terrain height at your point, sampled from that grid.

Does the elevation lookup work offline?

Yes. Every lookup sends your coordinates to the Open-Elevation API, so the tool cannot return a value offline. The terrain database lives on remote servers; your browser only displays the answer. Plan lookups before you lose signal if you are heading into the backcountry.

How accurate is the elevation figure?

SRTM data is typically accurate to within about 16 metres vertically for open terrain, and better on flat ground. Buildings, dense forest, and radar shadows can push individual readings off. Treat the number as a solid estimate for planning, not as survey-grade truth.

What does a negative elevation mean?

It means the point sits below mean sea level, which is normal for places like the Dead Sea shore or Death Valley. The value is still measured against the same global sea-level reference. Negative readings near coasts can also flag reclaimed land or data noise, so cross-check surprising ones.

Is this height above sea level?

Yes, elevations are referenced to the EGM96 geoid, which approximates mean sea level. That differs slightly from what a GPS receiver reports, since GPS gives height above the WGS84 ellipsoid. The gap between the two references ranges from tens of metres up to about a hundred depending on location.

Why does the value change slightly when I click nearby points?

SRTM stores one height per grid cell, so each click lands in a different cell with its own sampled value. On a slope, adjacent cells genuinely differ; on flat ground, small jumps reflect measurement noise. Averaging a few clicks around your point smooths out the noise.

Can I get the elevation of a spot in the ocean?

Ocean points return values at or near zero because SRTM covers land, and the sea surface defines the zero reference. Bathymetry, the depth of the seafloor, is a different dataset entirely. This tool answers 'how high is the land', not 'how deep is the water'.

Does tall building height get included?

SRTM is a surface model, so radar reflections from buildings and tree canopies can lift the reading above bare ground. In a dense downtown the value may reflect rooftops more than the street. For ground-level planning in cities, treat the figure as approximate.

Data sources & methodology