Expert Verified by: David Chen, GIS Specialist & Data Analyst
Calculating the shortest distance between two points on Earth requires more than a straight ruler. Our as the crow flies mileage calculator utilizes the Haversine formula to provide the most accurate great-circle distance, accounting for the Earth’s curvature.
As the Crow Flies Mileage Calculator
Calculated Distance:
Miles
As the Crow Flies Mileage Calculator Formula
To calculate the “as the crow flies” distance, we use the Haversine Formula:
a = sin²(Δφ/2) + cos φ1 ⋅ cos φ2 ⋅ sin²(Δλ/2)
c = 2 ⋅ atan2( √a, √(1−a) )
d = R ⋅ c
Source: Wikipedia – Haversine Formula | Movable Type Scripts
Variables:
- φ (Phi): Latitude of the point in radians.
- λ (Lambda): Longitude of the point in radians.
- Δ (Delta): The difference between two coordinates.
- R: Earth’s radius (mean radius = 3,958.8 miles or 6,371 km).
- d: The distance between the two points.
What is an “As the Crow Flies” Mileage Calculator?
The phrase “as the crow flies” refers to the shortest possible path between two locations, ignoring roads, terrain, or obstacles. Unlike driving directions which follow a network of streets, this calculator finds the Great Circle Distance.
This calculation is essential for aviation, maritime navigation, and radio frequency planning. It provides a baseline distance that represents the absolute geometric minimum separation between two coordinates on a sphere.
How to Calculate Distance As the Crow Flies (Example)
Let’s find the distance between New York (40.7, -74.0) and London (51.5, -0.1):
- Convert degrees to radians (multiply by π/180).
- Calculate the differences in latitude and longitude.
- Apply the Haversine function to find the angular distance ‘c’.
- Multiply ‘c’ by the Earth’s radius (3,958.8 for miles).
- The result for NYC to London is approximately 3,461 miles.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is “as the crow flies” the same as displacement? Yes, in physics terms, this distance represents the magnitude of the displacement vector between two points on the Earth’s surface.
How accurate is this calculator? The Haversine formula assumes Earth is a perfect sphere. For most distances, the error is less than 0.5% compared to the actual ellipsoidal shape of the Earth.
What is the maximum latitude/longitude I can enter? Latitude must be between -90 and 90, and longitude must be between -180 and 180.
Why is the driving distance always longer? Roads must navigate around buildings, water, and mountains, and follow specific routes, whereas the straight-line distance is purely geometric.