Google Maps is an online mapping service that allows you to view satellite images , city maps or driving directions. But did you know that Google Maps can also tell you the altitude of a place ? Whether to prepare for a hike, know the elevation of a route or simply out of curiosity, there are several methods to display altitude on Google Maps . In this article, we will explain to you how to find the altitude of a place on Google Maps, whether on a computer or on a smartphone.
Show altitude on Google Maps on computer
On your computer, go to Google Maps .
In the box at the top left of the screen, find the location whose altitude you want to know . Once the location is visible on the screen, click at the bottom right of the map on the “ layers ” frame. Relief option to display the contour lines which represent variations in altitude.
To find out the exact altitude of a specific point, simply right-click on it and choose “Measure a distance”. A window is then displayed with the GPS coordinates of the point ( latitude and longitude ) as well as its altitude in meters above sea level.
Show altitude on Google Maps on smartphone
On your Android or iOS smartphone, open the Google Maps app.
Enter an address or general location in the search bar, then tap the layers icon at the top right of the map. It is a square with two horizontal lines. Terrain option to display the contour lines.
To find out the exact altitude of a specific point , simply press and hold on it to make a red marker appear. Then touch the name of the place at the bottom of the screen to open its detailed file. Scroll down to the “ Coordinates ” section where you will find the altitude in meters above sea level.
Some tips for displaying altitude on Google Maps
- If you want to know the altitude of a place without having to look it up on Google Maps, you can use a dedicated website like CalcMaps.com which allows you to enter an address or GPS coordinates and get its altitude instantly.
- If you want to know the altimeter profile of a route, that is to say the variation in altitude between the starting point and the ending point, you can use a website like gpx2kml.com which allows you to trace your route on Google Maps and generate a GPX or KML file which you can then view on Google Earth or on mapping software.
- If you want to know the altitude of several points at once, you can use a website like gpsvisualizer.com which allows you to create a custom map with points of different colors depending on their altitude. You can also import a GPX or KML file containing geotagged points.
FAQs
What is the difference between altitude and elevation?
Altitude is the height of a point from mean sea level , while elevation is the height of a point from the ground . For example, if you are on top of a mountain that is 3,000 meters above sea level and you are 100 meters above the ground, your elevation is 100 meters.
What is the highest altitude reached by a human being?
The highest altitude reached by a human being is 38,026 meters , during the Strato-Lab V stratospheric balloon flight on May 4, 1961 . The two American pilots Malcolm Ross and Victor Prather reached this record altitude before descending by parachute. Unfortunately, Prather drowned after landing in the Gulf of Mexico due to a leak in his wetsuit.
What is the lowest altitude reached by a human being?
The lowest altitude reached by a human being is -10,911 meters, during a dive into the Mariana Trench on March 26, 2012 . Canadian director James Cameron reached this record depth aboard the Deepsea Challenger submarine . He spent about three hours at the bottom of the pit, filming and collecting samples.
What is the average altitude of the earth's surface?
The average altitude of the earth's surface is approximately 840 meters . However, this value varies between continents and regions. For example, the average altitude of Asia is 950 meters , that of Europe is 340 meters , that of Africa is 750 meters , that of North America is 760 meters, that of of South America is 600 meters, that of Oceania is 330 meters and that of Antarctica is 2,300 meters. The average altitude of the land surface is therefore higher than that of the oceans, which is approximately -3,700 meters.
Conclusion
You now know how to display altitude on Google Maps , whether on computer or smartphone . There are several methods for finding the altitude of a place , whether by using contour lines, measuring a distance or using specialized websites. Altitude is useful information for hiking, cycling or geography enthusiasts . Another interesting feature of Google Maps is being able to do a Dropped Pin on Google Maps , that is, mark a specific location on the map with a pin. This allows you to easily share an address , save a location , or calculate a route . Don't hesitate to share this article with your friends if you found it interesting!
