What Is My Elevation?
Tap "Find my elevation" to see how high the ground where you stand is above sea level, in feet and meters. The height comes from a global satellite terrain map (Copernicus, about 90 m detail), so it is ground height, not your phone's altitude reading. To look up a typed address or landmark, the Elevation Finder is quicker.
5,280 ft · 1,609 m
Example: Denver, CO, the Mile High City, sits about 5,280 ft (1,609 m) above sea level at the State Capitol. Tap Find my elevation to see the height of the ground where you are.
Interactive Cartographic Instrument
Hardware GPS positioning, boundary proximity detection, and elevation analysis.
Tip: Click on any peak, valley, or street on the map to sample instant elevation.Copernicus GLO-90 DEM · 90m Surface Model
How to use the my-elevation tool
- 1Share your location
Tap "Find My Elevation" to read your device position, or click the map to move the point.
- 2Sample the terrain model
The point is looked up in the Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model (about 90 m cells) via Open-Meteo, with a Terrarium tile fallback.
- 3Read your height above sea level
See your elevation in feet and meters above mean sea level, with an honest vertical accuracy note for the model.
Elevation vs. Altitude vs. GPS Height
In common conversation, the words elevation, altitude, and height are often treated as synonyms. In geodesy and spatial engineering, however, they describe measurements taken from three fundamentally different reference surfaces:
Fundamental relationship: h ≈ H + N, where h is GPS height above the mathematical ellipsoid, H is true elevation above mean sea level (the geoid), and N is the geoid undulation caused by Earth’s uneven mass distribution.
Your smartphone’s internal GNSS chip (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo) computes your vertical position relative to the WGS84 ellipsoid—a mathematically smooth, idealized oblate spheroid that ignores Earth’s irregular gravitational variations. Because the real Earth has mountains, ocean trenches, and varying mantle densities, the true gravity surface of mean sea level (the Geoid) undulates relative to the ellipsoid by up to ±100 meters globally.
Unless your smartphone app includes an internal geoid model (such as EGM2008 or NGS GEOID18) to subtract N, the raw altitude reported by your device will differ from official topographic maps by 30 to 150 feet. Open Map Lab solves this by querying verified digital elevation models that report true orthometric elevation above mean sea level.
Where the Elevation Data Comes From
Open Map Lab queries high-resolution elevation raster grids to provide instant height above sea level for any coordinate pair on Earth (if you only have a street address, first get the coordinates of an address):
- Copernicus GLO-90 DEM: For worldwide elevation lookups, we utilize the European Space Agency’s Copernicus GLO-90 Digital Elevation Model. This product provides worldwide coverage at approximately 90-meter horizontal resolution (~3 arc-seconds), downsampled from radar interferometry captured by the German TanDEM-X satellite mission.
- How the lookup is served: Elevation requests go to the Open-Meteo elevation API, which samples Copernicus GLO-90. If that service does not answer, the tool falls back to open Terrarium terrain tiles. No high-resolution national LiDAR data (such as USGS 3DEP) is used, so the same roughly 90-meter grid applies in the United States and everywhere else.
Technical Specification: Digital Surface Model (DSM) vs. Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
It is critical to understand the distinction between a surface model and a terrain model. The Copernicus GLO-90 dataset is a Digital Surface Model (DSM), representing the first reflective radar return surface—meaning values include tree canopies, forest cover, and large structural buildings in urban environments. In dense old-growth forests, a DSM reading may be 50 to 100 feet higher than the bare soil beneath the trees.
According to the official Copernicus DEM Product Handbook (ESA SP-1400), GLO-90 has a certified global absolute vertical accuracy of LE90 < 4.0 meters (meaning 90% of all vertical measurements are within 4 meters of truth). In flat to moderately sloped terrain, relative vertical accuracy is typically better than 2.0 meters.
How Elevation Changes the Boiling Point (Calculation)
As elevation increases, the weight of the air column above you decreases, lowering both atmospheric pressure and the temperature at which water boils. Water boils when its vapor pressure equals the surrounding atmospheric pressure.
P = 1013.25 \times \left(1 - 2.25577 \times 10^{-5} \times h\right)^{5.25588} \quad ; \quad T_b = \frac{1730.63}{8.07131 - \log_{10}(P_{\text{mmHg}})} - 233.426- Base barometric ratio: 1 - (2.25577 × 10^-5 × 1609.34) = 0.96370.
- Raise to barometric exponent 5.25588: (0.96370)^5.25588 = 0.82315.
- Calculate pressure: P = 1013.25 × 0.82315 = 834.06 hPa (625.6 mmHg / 24.63 inHg).
- Apply Antoine equation: log10(625.6) = 2.7963. Denominator = 8.07131 - 2.7963 = 5.2750.
- Boiling point: T = (1730.63 / 5.2750) - 233.426 = 94.67°C (202.4°F).
Water in Denver boils nearly 10°F below standard sea level boiling temperature (212°F). Pasta, beans, and boiled foods require significantly longer cooking times because boiling water cannot exceed 202.4°F without a pressure cooker.
Atmospheric Pressure & Boiling Point Calculator
Water boils 9.6°F cooler than at sea level. Food takes longer to cook; baking requires less leavening.
Effective air density is 82% of sea-level standard atmosphere.
Places Below Sea Level
While most terrestrial landmasses rise above the oceans, several major populated and wilderness basins sit below mean sea level:
- Badwater Basin, Death Valley, California (−282 ft / −86 m): The lowest land elevation in North America. The basin floor is an endorheic salt flat where water cannot drain into any ocean.
- The Dead Sea Shore, Jordan and Israel (−1,410 ft / −430 m): The lowest exposed land on Earth. Atmospheric pressure here reaches nearly 1,065 hPa (exceeding standard sea level pressure by ~5%), causing water to boil at approximately 214.5°F (101.4°C).
- New Orleans, Louisiana: Approximately 50% of the city of New Orleans lies below mean sea level, with elevations ranging down to −6 to −8 feet below sea level, protected by federal levee systems and massive stormwater drainage pumping stations.
When you inspect a point in Death Valley or the Dead Sea basin on Open Map Lab, our elevation readout displays negative values prefixed with a minus sign (e.g. -282 ft).
How Elevation Affects Cooking, Sports and Health
Changes in altitude have profound physical and biological consequences:
Culinary & Baking Adjustments
According to USDA Cooperative State Research guidelines, baking recipes formulated for sea level fail above 3,500 feet. Lower atmospheric pressure causes leavening gases (carbon dioxide from yeast, baking powder, and baking soda) to expand prematurely, causing cakes to collapse. Liquids also evaporate faster, requiring bakers to decrease sugar and leavening agents while increasing liquid and baking temperature.
Cardiovascular & Athletic Physiology
Although the fraction of oxygen in air remains constant at ~20.95% at all altitudes, lower barometric pressure reduces the partial pressure of inspired oxygen (PO₂). Starting around 5,000 feet (1,500 m), human maximal aerobic capacity (VO₂ max) declines by roughly 1% per 300 feet of ascent in non-acclimatized individuals. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) typically emerges above 8,000 feet (2,400 m).
Highest and Lowest Elevation by State (Table)
The vertical relief across the United States varies from sub-sea-level salt flats to 20,000-foot glacial summits:
Selected U.S. State Elevation Extremes
Data verified against USGS National Elevation Dataset and NGS survey benchmark records.
| State | Highest Natural Point | Lowest Natural Point | Total Relief Span |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Mount Denali 20,310 ft (6,190 m) | Pacific Ocean 0 ft (0 m) | 20,310 ft |
| California | Mount Whitney 14,505 ft (4,421 m) | Badwater Basin, Death Valley -282 ft (-86 m) | 14,787 ft |
| Colorado | Mount Elbert 14,440 ft (4,401 m) | Arikaree River 3,317 ft (1,011 m) | 11,123 ft |
| Florida | Britton Hill (Walton Co.) 345 ft (105 m) | Atlantic Ocean / Gulf 0 ft (0 m) | 345 ft |
| Delaware | Ebright Azimuth 448 ft (137 m) | Atlantic Ocean 0 ft (0 m) | 448 ft |
| Hawaii | Mauna Kea 13,803 ft (4,207 m) | Pacific Ocean 0 ft (0 m) | 13,803 ft |
How Accurate Is My Elevation? Limitations
- Aviation & Flight Navigation: Never use browser elevation readings for aircraft flight planning, obstacle clearance altitudes, or instrument approach procedures. Certified aviation operations require FAA-approved aeronautical charts and certified avionics.
- FEMA Flood Insurance & Base Flood Elevation (BFE): Determining whether a residential or commercial building is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or below the 100-year base flood elevation requires an official FEMA Elevation Certificate completed and stamped by a licensed professional land surveyor or professional engineer.
- Architectural Foundation & Drainage Grading: Digital elevation models with 90-meter grid spacing cannot resolve micro-topography, retaining walls, or localized foundation drainage slopes. Construction projects require an on-site topographic boundary survey.
Quick facts about the my-elevation tool
| Fact | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Highest US Point | Denali, AK (20,310 ft) | 6,190 meters above sea level |
| Lowest US Point | Badwater Basin, CA (-282 ft) | -86 meters in Death Valley |
| Average US Elevation | 2,500 ft (760 m) | Weighted mean across continental US |
| Elevation Model | Copernicus GLO-90 | 90m grid resolution with ~4m vertical accuracy |
| Datum Type | Orthometric (MSL / Geoid) | Calibrated to Earth Gravitational Model (EGM2008) |
Edge cases and exceptions
Negative Elevations Below Sea Level
Areas like Death Valley (-282 ft) and the Dead Sea (-1,410 ft) sit below global mean sea level. Open Map Lab supports negative elevation calculations without truncating to zero.
Ellipsoid vs. Geoid Height Discrepancy
Raw smartphone GPS chips measure height relative to a geometric ellipsoid, which differs from real mean sea level by up to 30 meters (100 ft). We cross-reference Digital Elevation Models for true ground level.
The my-elevation tool: worked examples
High-Altitude Baking Adjustment
Scenario: Baking a cake in Denver, Colorado.
Outcome: Determines exact altitude of 5,280 ft (1,609 m), confirming the need for reduced leavening and increased oven temperature.
Hiking Trail Acclimatization
Scenario: Planning a high Sierra ascent starting at Whitney Portal.
Outcome: Measures trailhead elevation at 8,360 ft (2,548 m), helping plan proper hydration and altitude sickness prevention.
Frequently asked questions about the my-elevation tool
What is the difference between elevation and altitude?
Elevation refers to the height of the ground surface above mean sea level. Altitude typically refers to the height of an object (like an airplane) in the air above the ground or sea level.
How does Open Map Lab calculate elevation?
We query the European Space Agency's Copernicus GLO-90 Digital Elevation Model and AWS Terrarium elevation tiles, providing verified Mean Sea Level orthometric height.
Can this tool read negative elevations?
Yes. Locations below sea level (such as Death Valley, California or the Salton Sink) correctly display negative numbers.
Why is phone GPS altitude often inaccurate?
Satellite triangulation vertical accuracy is inherently 2 to 3 times worse than horizontal accuracy, and phones report ellipsoidal height rather than sea level height.
Is elevation displayed in feet or meters?
Both. Results are displayed prominently in feet and meters with single-click copy buttons.
Does atmospheric pressure affect this measurement?
No. Our tool uses satellite radar Digital Elevation Models tied to geographic coordinates, so barometric weather pressure shifts do not distort your answer.
What is the highest point in the contiguous United States?
Mount Whitney in California, at about 14,505 feet (4,421 meters). The highest point in the whole US is Denali in Alaska at 20,310 feet (6,190 meters).
What is the lowest point in the United States?
Badwater Basin in Death Valley, California, at about 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level, the lowest point in North America.
How do I convert elevation from feet to meters?
Multiply feet by 0.3048 to get meters, or meters by 3.28084 to get feet. 5,280 feet (Denver) is about 1,609 meters.
Why does water boil at a lower temperature at altitude?
Air pressure drops as you climb, so water reaches its boiling point sooner. Roughly, the boiling point falls about 1 °F for every 500 feet of elevation, which is why cooking times increase in the mountains.
At what elevation does altitude sickness begin?
Symptoms can start above about 8,000 feet (2,500 meters), and risk rises sharply above 10,000 feet. Individual susceptibility varies, so ascend gradually and drink water.
What is mean sea level?
It is the average height of the ocean surface, used as the zero point for elevations. Because sea level is not a perfect ellipsoid, surveyors use a model of the geoid, such as EGM2008, to define it.
What is the difference between elevation, altitude and prominence?
Elevation is height of the ground above sea level; altitude is height of an object above a reference, such as an aircraft above sea level; prominence is how much a summit rises above the lowest saddle connecting it to a higher peak.
How accurate is the elevation reading?
The Copernicus GLO-90 model has a grid of about 90 meters and a typical vertical error of a few meters. It is excellent for planning but not a substitute for a survey benchmark.
Can elevation change over time?
Yes. Land can rise or sink through tectonics, groundwater pumping, glacier rebound and construction. Models are updated periodically, so older datasets can differ slightly from newer ones.
Why is my building's elevation different from the ground nearby?
The tool reports the terrain model value at the point you choose. Floors of a building, rooftops and hillsides in the same grid cell can all differ from that single value.
Keep exploring
What to do with this result
- Elevation Finder: Elevation of Any Address or PlaceUse this to look up the elevation of any address.
- Elevation Profile ToolUse this to draw an elevation profile.
- Horizon Distance Calculator — Distance to the HorizonUse this to calculate horizon distance.
- Coordinates to Address Converter (Reverse Geocoder)Use this to convert coordinates to an address.
- Latitude and Longitude Finder (GPS Coordinates of Any Place)Use this to find latitude and longitude.