Great Circle Distance

Calculate shortest distance and initial course between two positions.

Departure Position

Latitude (°)

N / S

Longitude (°)

E / W

Arrival Position

Latitude (°)

N / S

Longitude (°)

E / W

Great Circle Distance —

Initial Course —

How it works

Uses the spherical law of cosines / haversine method to calculate the shortest distance over the Earth’s surface and the initial true course.

Example

From: 51.5° N, 0.1° W (London)
To: 40.7° N, 74.0° W (New York)
Distance ≈ 3000 NM

Who is this for?

Useful for navigators during passage planning and great circle sailing calculations.