Global Precise Coordinates & Elevation
Instant access to accurate geographic coordinates and absolute elevation data worldwide.
Global Countries & Regions
Geospatial Knowledge Base
What is Latitude & Longitude?
Latitude and longitude are spherical coordinates used to identify locations on Earth. Latitude measures north-south distance from the equator (0°), while longitude measures east-west distance from the Prime Meridian (0°). Together, they pinpoint any spot on Earth.
What is Elevation & Altitude?
Elevation measures the vertical distance of a geographic location above a reference geoid (mean sea level). Because Earth is not a perfect sphere, gravitational variations shape an irregular reference surface, meaning elevation can vary slightly depending on the regional vertical datum used.
Decimal Degrees vs DMS
Coordinates are typically formatted in Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS, e.g., 39°54'30" N) or Decimal Degrees (DD, e.g., 39.9083°). Digital maps and APIs prefer Decimal Degrees for simplicity. The conversion formula is: Degrees + Minutes/60 + Seconds/3600.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What coordinate formats are supported? How to convert?
Common formats are Decimal Degrees (DD, e.g., 39.9087°) and Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS, e.g., 39°54'31"). The formula is: Decimal = Degrees + Minutes/60 + Seconds/3600. For example: 39°54'30" = 39 + 54/60 + 30/3600 = 39.9083°.
2. Why do different maps show slightly different elevations?
Elevation references vary. Different maps use different gravity datums (like EGM96 geoid or WGS84 ellipsoid) or different terrain elevation grids (like SRTM or ASTER), leading to differences of a few meters for the exact same point.
3. What is the GCJ-02 coordinate system and why do GPS coordinates offset in China?
GCJ-02 is an obfuscated coordinate system mandated for maps in China. Using standard GPS coordinates (WGS-84) directly on Chinese maps (like Amap or Baidu) or vice versa causes an offset of 100 to 500 meters unless coordinate conversion is applied.
4. What distance do the decimal places of latitude and longitude represent?
Near the equator: 1 decimal place is about 11 km; 3 decimal places is about 110 m; 4 places is 11 m; 5 places is 1.1 m; 6 places is 11 cm. Our 6-digit coordinates offer decimeter-level precision, perfect for highly accurate reference.
5. How to launch native map apps on my phone with one click?
On your mobile browser, open any spot page and click on the desired map button. The page uses URL Schemes (like `androidamap://` or `maps://`) to dynamically trigger and launch the native map client installed on your device.
6. How is the zero reference for elevation determined?
Elevation is referenced to Mean Sea Level (MSL), calibrated by tide gauge stations. For example, China uses the Yellow Sea MSL calibrated at Qingdao; international platforms often reference gravitational geoids like WGS-84 or EGM96.
7. How do I copy coordinates or share a location?
Simply click on the coordinate text block to copy it to your clipboard. To share a specific location, just copy the page URL from your browser address bar and send it. Anyone opening the link will see the exact same page.
8. Does this platform support offline queries?
Yes. The platform is designed with a static architecture. Once a page has been loaded, it will be cached by your web browser, allowing you to access and view coordinates even when your device goes offline.