Haversine distância
- Created by
- Renato Passos, Eng. de Software
- Reviewed by
- Renato Passos, Eng. de Software
Last updated: Apr 18, 2026
About this calculator
The Haversine spherical distance calculator determines the shortest distance between two points on Earth's surface, accounting for its spherical shape. It uses the formula 2R·arcsin(√a), where R is Earth's approximate radius (6,371 km) and 'a' derives from latitude and longitude differences. This tool is widely used in navigation, geolocation, and geographic studies.
The Haversine formula addresses spherical curve challenges without planar projection distortions. It converts coordinates to radians, calculates angular differences, and applies trigonometric functions to obtain results in kilometers or miles. It performs best for distances under 12,400 miles, with sufficient accuracy for most daily applications.
Use this calculator for flight route planning, vehicle trajectory estimation, or geographic data analysis. Avoid it for antipodal points (opposite ends of the globe) or very short distances (under 0.6 miles), where planar methods would be more precise. Always cross-check results with complex models for critical applications.
The calculation ignores terrestrial elevation and atmospheric curvature, relying solely on an idealized sphere. For ultra-accuracy, updated models use Earth's ellipsoid shape. Haversine is suitable for general purposes like mapping apps or academic calculations.
Frequently asked questions
Why use the Haversine formula instead of the planar formula?
The Haversine formula accounts for Earth's curvature, avoiding errors that occur over long distances or near the poles, where planar methods show significant distortions.
What Earth radius does the calculator use?
The calculator uses a mean radius of 6,371 km, a common approximation for global calculations. More precise models use Earth's ellipsoid-specific values.
Does it work with decimal degrees and degrees-minutes-seconds?
Yes, the calculator accepts both formats, automatically converting to radians during calculations.
How accurate is the Haversine formula?
The formula has up to 0.5% accuracy for distances under 12,400 miles. For longer distances or critical applications, use ellipsoidal models.
Can I use it for locations with different altitudes?
No, the calculator ignores altitude variations and considers only an idealized spherical surface. For significant elevations, use tools that include elevation data.