Where does the elevation data come from?

Elevation is fetched server-side from the open Open Topo Data API using the ASTER GDEM v3 (aster30m) dataset, which offers near-global land coverage at roughly 30-metre resolution.

How accurate is the elevation?

ASTER GDEM is accurate to within a few metres in most terrain, but it is a digital surface model — readings can include tree canopy or buildings and are less reliable over water, ice, or steep slopes.

Why does my coordinate return no elevation?

The ASTER dataset covers land between about 83°N and 83°S. Points over open ocean, the poles, or outside coverage return no data — try a nearby point on land.

How do I find my coordinates?

Click "Use my location" to let your browser supply your latitude and longitude (you will be asked for permission). Alternatively, right-click a point in most online maps to copy its coordinates and paste them in.

Is the elevation above sea level?

Yes. Elevation is reported as metres (and feet) above mean sea level, the standard reference used by topographic maps and GPS devices.

Why is the result slightly different from my GPS?

Consumer GPS altitude can be off by tens of metres, while ASTER GDEM is a ~30 m-resolution surface model averaged over a grid cell. Both are estimates; expect small differences, especially on slopes or near tall structures.

Does it work over the ocean?

No. The ASTER dataset covers land between roughly 83°N and 83°S. Points over open water, the poles, or outside coverage return no elevation — choose a nearby point on land.

Elevation Finder by Coordinates

Type any latitude and longitude, or use your current location, to instantly see the ground elevation above sea level in both metres and feet — powered by the open Open Topo Data ASTER dataset.

Updated June 2026

Data provided by Open Topo Data

How to use Elevation Finder by Coordinates

The elevation finder reports the height above sea level of any point on Earth from its latitude and longitude. Type coordinates manually or use your device location, and the tool returns the ground elevation in both metres and feet. It is powered server-side by the open Open Topo Data API using the ASTER GDEM v3 dataset, which provides near-global land coverage at roughly 30-metre resolution — handy for hiking, cycling, drone flight planning, geography homework, and quickly settling "how high are we?" questions without installing an app.

Enter a latitude between −90 and 90 in decimal degrees.
Enter a longitude between −180 and 180 in decimal degrees.
Or click "Use my location" to fill the fields from your device.
Click Get elevation.
Read the height above sea level shown in both metres and feet.

Your query is sent to Open Topo Datato fetch results. We don't store it.

How elevation is measured

Elevation is the vertical distance of a point above mean sea level. This tool uses a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) — a grid of height values derived from satellite measurements. The ASTER Global DEM (GDEM) v3 was produced from stereo-pair imagery captured by the ASTER instrument on NASA's Terra satellite, giving a posting of about 1 arc-second (~30 metres) across most of the planet's land surface. When you submit coordinates, the service looks up the nearest grid cell and returns its height. Because ASTER is a surface model, the value can include the top of dense forest canopy or buildings rather than the bare ground beneath them.

Reference elevations of well-known points
Place	Latitude, Longitude	Elevation (m)	Elevation (ft)
Mount Everest summit	27.9881, 86.9250	8,849	29,032
Denver, USA ("Mile High")	39.7392, −104.9903	1,609	5,280
Dead Sea shore	31.5590, 35.4732	−430	−1,411
Sydney, Australia	−33.8688, 151.2093	58	190

Metres, feet, and accuracy

To convert between units, multiply metres by 3.28084 to get feet, or divide feet by 3.28084 to get metres — so 100 m equals about 328 ft. Accuracy depends on terrain: ASTER GDEM v3 has a vertical accuracy of roughly 10–25 m in most areas, better on flat ground and worse on steep slopes, cliffs, and near water bodies. For casual planning, education, and curiosity this is more than adequate, but it should not be used for surveying, aviation, or engineering, which require certified high-precision datasets.

Worked examples

Everest summit

Inputs: 27.9881, 86.9250

Result: ≈ 8,849 m · 29,032 ft above sea level

Below sea level

Inputs: 31.5590, 35.4732 (Dead Sea)

Result: ≈ −430 m · −1,411 ft

Glossary

Elevation: The height of a point on the ground above mean sea level, usually given in metres or feet.
Latitude: The north-south coordinate of a point in degrees, from −90° at the South Pole to +90° at the North Pole.
Longitude: The east-west coordinate of a point in degrees, from −180° to +180° relative to the prime meridian.
Digital Elevation Model (DEM): A gridded dataset of terrain height values used to look up the elevation at any coordinate.
ASTER GDEM: The ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model, a near-global ~30 m terrain dataset built from NASA Terra satellite imagery.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why use Elevation Finder by Coordinates?

Get elevation in metres and feet from a single latitude/longitude lookup
Use one-tap device geolocation or enter coordinates manually for any point worldwide
Relies on the open ASTER GDEM dataset with near-global ~30 m land coverage
Results are cached, so repeat lookups of the same point return instantly

Common use cases

Planning a hike or trail run by checking the elevation of a summit or trailhead
Estimating the elevation gain between a start point and a destination on a ride
Checking ground elevation before planning a legal drone flight altitude
Answering geography questions about the height of mountains, cities, or landmarks
Verifying the altitude of a campsite or viewpoint before a trip

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