Saudi Arabia Elevation Map
This page shows the elevation (altitude above mean sea level) at any point in Saudi Arabia. The country's capital is Riyadh, and the map is centered on 23.89° latitude, 45.08° longitude. Pan and zoom to any region, then click the map to drop a pin - the tool fetches the exact elevation in meters and feet from the Open-Elevation API, which is built on the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 30 m dataset plus country-specific digital elevation models.
Elevation data matters for many practical decisions. Hikers and mountaineers use it to plan treks and estimate difficulty. Pilots and drone operators need it for takeoff and landing calculations. Real-estate professionals use it to assess flood risk and building suitability. Agricultural planners use it to understand drainage patterns. Health travellers use it to anticipate altitude sickness. In Saudi Arabia the terrain ranges from sea level at the coasts to high ground in the interior, and the elevation at any given spot can change significantly over short horizontal distances where the land is steep.
The Open-Elevation API serves SRTM-derived data globally at 30 m resolution, with vertical accuracy of roughly 16 m in most regions. In the United States, USGS 3DEP 10 m data is used, which is substantially more accurate. Over oceans the elevation is 0 m (sea level); bathymetry (underwater depth) is not included in this dataset. The tool also computes approximate atmospheric pressure using the International Standard Atmosphere barometric formula, and an approximate oxygen percentage at the same altitude - both useful references for hikers and pilots, though actual values vary with weather.
Below the interactive map you will find a three-step usage guide, real use cases with examples, a popular-locations table, the technical methodology, ten frequently asked questions and transparent data-source credits. Whether you are planning a climb, assessing a building site, flying a drone or just curious about how high a place is, the tool gives you a reliable number in seconds.
This page explains how the saudi arabia elevation map 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.
How to use this tool
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.
The result appears instantly with the map showing your location. You can adjust by clicking elsewhere or searching a new place.
Click Copy to save to clipboard, or Share to send a direct link with the exact inputs.
What people use this tool for
Travellers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts use the saudi arabia elevation map to estimate distances, times and logistics before setting out. The result helps budget fuel, accommodation and time.
Professionals in logistics, real estate, urban planning and research use the saudi arabia elevation map for baseline calculations. The tool runs in your browser, so sensitive inputs stay private.
Teachers use the saudi arabia elevation map to demonstrate geographic concepts. The interactive map lets students click anywhere and see results - more engaging than textbooks.
Researchers use the saudi arabia elevation map for geographic analysis. Curious minds use it to answer questions like "how far is X from Y?" or "how high is that mountain?"
How it's calculated
Elevation data comes from the Open-Elevation API, which is built on the SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) 30 m dataset plus country-specific digital elevation models. SRTM was collected by the Space Shuttle Endeavour in February 2000 and covers latitudes 60°N to 56°S - essentially all of Saudi Arabia's land surface. Vertical accuracy is ~16 m in most regions, with better accuracy in the United States where USGS 3DEP 10 m data is used.
Atmospheric pressure is computed using the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) barometric formula: P = 1013.25 × (1 - 2.25577×10⁻⁵ × h)^5.25588, where h is elevation in metres. Oxygen percentage uses the same model starting from 20.9% at sea level. Both are approximations at standard conditions; real values vary with weather, temperature and local atmospheric conditions.
The map itself is rendered from OpenStreetMap tiles by Leaflet. When you click the map, the coordinates are sent directly to the Open-Elevation API; they are not stored on our servers. The tool respects the API's fair-use policy.
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
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the elevation data for Saudi Arabia?
SRTM data is accurate to ~16 m vertically in most regions. In the United States, USGS 3DEP 10 m data is used and is more accurate. Coastal and high-mountain areas can have larger errors due to radar shadowing and layover effects.
Does the map cover all of Saudi Arabia?
Yes. SRTM covers the entire land surface of Saudi Arabia. Ocean areas return elevation 0 m (mean sea level). Bathymetric data (underwater depth) is not included in this dataset.
What about ocean and sea areas?
Elevation over the ocean is 0 m. The SRTM radar did not penetrate water, so no bathymetry is included. For underwater depth, use a dedicated bathymetric dataset.
Does this account for tides?
No. Elevations are referenced to mean sea level on the WGS84 ellipsoid, which does not include tidal variation. Actual sea level varies by about 1 m over the course of a day in most places due to tides.
Can I export the elevation data?
The interactive tool is designed for single-point lookups. For bulk data, use the Open-Elevation API directly, or download the SRTM tiles from USGS EarthExplorer and process them locally.
What is the highest point in Saudi Arabia?
Consult the national geographic institute of Saudi Arabia for the official list of highest points. The tool lets you verify elevations at specific locations, but peak elevations should come from authoritative surveys.
Is the atmospheric pressure calculation accurate?
The International Standard Atmosphere formula gives a good approximation at standard conditions (15°C at sea level). Real pressure varies with weather by +/- 30 hPa or more, so treat the result as a baseline rather than a forecast.
Does the tool work at night?
Yes. SRTM data is independent of time of day because it is based on radar, not optical imagery. The tool works 24/7.
Why does the elevation seem wrong for my location?
SRTM has a 30 m pixel resolution. In areas with steep terrain, the pixel value may represent a nearby hill or valley rather than the exact spot you clicked. In urban areas, the value may include building heights. For sub-pixel accuracy, use LiDAR data.
Can I use this for aviation charts?
The data is a good reference, but aviation charts use officially surveyed obstacle and terrain data with tighter accuracy requirements. Do not use this tool for flight planning where regulatory charts are required.
What datum is used?
Elevations are referenced to the WGS84 ellipsoid. This differs slightly from mean sea level as measured by tide gauges; the difference (the geoid undulation) can be up to 100 m in some places.
How does this compare to my phone's barometer?
Phone barometers measure local air pressure and convert it to altitude using the ISA formula. Accuracy depends on calibration and current weather. This tool uses surveyed terrain data, which is more accurate for fixed locations.
How accurate is the saudi arabia elevation map?
For typical inputs, the result is accurate to within a fraction of a percent. Accuracy depends on input precision and the underlying geographic formulas used.
Does this work worldwide?
Yes - the tool works for any location on Earth, including across oceans and near the poles.
Does this work offline?
The calculation runs locally in your browser; map tiles and address search require an internet connection.
What datum is used?
WGS84 (EPSG:4326), the same datum used by GPS and most modern maps.
Can I export the result?
Click Copy to save to clipboard, or Share to send a direct link to the exact inputs.
Can I use this commercially?
Yes - the tool and underlying data are free for personal and commercial use.
How is this different from Google Maps?
Google Maps is optimised for turn-by-turn navigation with traffic. This tool focuses on accurate geographic calculation with full documentation of methodology and data sources.
Is my data private?
Yes. The calculation runs in your browser. Only coordinates for geocoding/elevation are sent to third-party services. We do not log or store your inputs.
Data sources & methodology
- Open-Elevation API — Free public elevation API serving SRTM-derived data.
- SRTM 30 m — NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, covering Saudi Arabia at 30 m resolution with ~16 m vertical accuracy.
- USGS 3DEP — 10 m DEM for the United States, where applicable. More accurate than SRTM.
- International Standard Atmosphere — Barometric formula used to approximate atmospheric pressure and oxygen percentage at altitude.
- OpenStreetMap — Map tiles and address data under Open Database License.
- Nominatim geocoder — OpenStreetMap-based geocoding service.
- WGS84 datum — Global reference datum used by GPS.