As the Crow Flies Distance Calculator

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Expertly Reviewed by David Chen, GIS Specialist Verified for Geodetic Accuracy & Calculation Logic

Need to find the shortest path between two points on Earth? Our as the crow flies distance calculator uses the advanced Haversine formula to provide instant, precise results for aviation, navigation, and trip planning.

As the Crow Flies Calculator

Invalid latitude.
Invalid longitude.
Invalid latitude.
Invalid longitude.

Direct Distance

0.00 km
Calculated “as the crow flies”

As the crow flies distance calculator Formula

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

Where R is Earth’s radius (mean radius = 6,371km). For more technical details on spherical trigonometry, visit the Wikipedia: Haversine Formula or the NASA Earth Fact Sheet.

Variables:

  • φ (Phi): Latitude of the location in degrees.
  • λ (Lambda): Longitude of the location in degrees.
  • Δ (Delta): The difference between the coordinates of the two points.
  • R: The Earth’s radius (Approx 6,371 km or 3,959 miles).

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What is as the crow flies distance calculator?

The term “as the crow flies” refers to the most direct path between two locations, ignoring any terrestrial obstacles, roads, or terrain. In geometry, this is known as the displacement or the great-circle distance on a sphere.

This calculator is essential for pilots, sailors, and travelers who want to know the absolute shortest distance between two geographic coordinates. Unlike GPS navigation which follows roads, this tool calculates the straight-line mathematical distance.

How to Calculate as the crow flies distance (Example)

To calculate the distance between New York City (40.7128° N, 74.0060° W) and Los Angeles (34.0522° N, 118.2437° W):

  1. Convert coordinates from degrees to radians.
  2. Calculate the difference between latitudes and longitudes (Δlat and Δlon).
  3. Apply the Haversine formula to find ‘a’ (the square of half the chord length).
  4. Calculate ‘c’ (the angular distance in radians).
  5. Multiply ‘c’ by the Earth’s radius (6,371 km).
  6. Result: Approximately 3,936 km.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is it called “as the crow flies”?

It originates from the observation that crows often fly in a straight line toward their destination, unlike land animals that must navigate around obstacles.

Is this distance more accurate than Google Maps?

Google Maps provides “road distance.” This tool provides “geodetic distance.” If you are flying or measuring signal range, this tool is the correct choice.

Does it account for the Earth’s curvature?

Yes, the Haversine formula specifically accounts for the spherical shape of the Earth, making it much more accurate than a simple Pythagorean calculation over long distances.

What is the margin of error?

The Earth is an oblate spheroid, not a perfect sphere. The error is typically less than 0.5% for most calculations using the mean radius of 6,371 km.

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