Haversine Distance Calculator

Calculate the great-circle distance between two points on Earth

Point A
Point B
Created by :- Narendra
Last Updated: 29-06-2025

What is a Haversine Distance Calculator?

The Haversine Distance Calculator helps determine the shortest distance over the Earth’s surface between two geographic points based on their latitude and longitude coordinates. This calculation assumes a spherical Earth and uses the Haversine formula—a well-known equation in navigation and mapping applications.
Whether you’re a developer, traveler, GIS analyst, or someone who needs to calculate geographic distances, this tool gives you quick and reliable results.

🌍How Does the Haversine Formula Work?

The Haversine formula is based on spherical trigonometry and calculates the great-circle distance between two points on the surface of a sphere, making it perfect for geographical distance calculations.

The Formula:

a = sin²(Δφ/2) + cos(φ₁) · cos(φ₂) · sin²(Δλ/2)
c = 2 · atan2(√a, √(1−a))
d = R · c

Variables Explained:

  • φ₁, φ₂ : Latitudes of point 1 and point 2 (in radians)
  • λ₁, λ₂ : Longitudes of point 1 and point 2 (in radians)
  • φ : Difference between latitudes (φ₂ - φ₁)
  • Δλ: Difference between longitudes (λ₂ - λ₁)
  • R: Earth's radius (6,371 km or 3,959 miles)
  • d: Distance between the two points

FAQ on Haversine Distance Calculator

1. What is the Haversine formula used for?

The Haversine formula is used to calculate the shortest path (great-circle distance) between two points on a sphere, such as Earth. It's ideal for geographic coordinate calculations.

2. Is the Haversine distance the same as driving distance?

No. Haversine calculates the straight-line distance between two points on the Earth's surface. Driving distance may be longer due to road routes, terrain, and traffic.

3. What is the accuracy of the Haversine formula?

For most applications, the Haversine formula provides accurate results within a small margin of error. However, for high-precision needs (e.g., aviation, military), ellipsoidal models like Vincenty's may be preferred.

Did you know

📏 The term "Haversine" comes from "half versed sine", a trigonometric function used in spherical geometry and navigation since the 19th century.
🗺️ The Haversine formula is widely used in GPS devices, geofencing applications, and fitness tracking apps like Strava or Runkeeper.