Great Circle Calculator - Distance, Bearing & Midpoint

Your details

Unit used for the distance output. All other outputs are unaffected.
Latitude of the start point in decimal degrees. Positive = North, negative = South.
°
Longitude of the start point in decimal degrees. Positive = East, negative = West.
°
Latitude of the end point in decimal degrees.
°
Longitude of the end point in decimal degrees.
°
Cruise speed for a flight-time estimate. Leave at 0 to hide the flight-time output. Typical commercial jets cruise at 800-950 km/h.
km/h
Great-circle distance
5,570.23

Shortest path along the surface of the Earth

Unitkm
Initial bearing288.3°
Initial directionWNW
Final bearing231.2°
Final directionSW
Midpoint latitude52.3684° N
Midpoint longitude41.2903° W
Estimated flight time6 h 11 min
Initial bearing (°)288.3
Final bearing (°)231.2

Great-circle distance: 5570.23 km

  • Depart Point A heading WNW (288.3°) and arrive at Point B on a SW heading (231.2°). The bearing changes because the Earth is curved.
  • On a Mercator map this route appears as an arc curving toward the nearest pole, even though it is the shortest possible surface path.
  • The midpoint of this route is at 52.3684° N, 41.2903° W.
  • At the given cruise speed the estimated flight time is 6 h 11 min.

Next stepFor aviation or marine navigation, note that the initial and final bearings differ: you must update your heading en route if flying a true great-circle track.

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