Vertical Exaggeration Calculator

Your details

Choose which value to calculate. The other two must be entered.
The n in the map horizontal representative fraction 1:n (e.g. 50000 for a 1:50,000 map). Not needed when solving for this value.
The n in the profile vertical representative fraction 1:n (e.g. 5000 for a 1:5,000 vertical scale). Not needed when solving for this value.
Vertical exaggerationStrong exaggeration
10

How many times taller the terrain appears compared with true scale

Vertical scale denominator5,000
Horizontal scale denominator50,000
InterpretationStrong exaggeration
Slope angle multiplier10
10 x
Compressed<1True / slight1-2Moderate2-5Strong5-20Extreme20+

VE = 10.00: strong exaggeration.

  • Vertical distances appear 10.00 times taller than in reality. A true slope of 10 degrees would look like about 60.4 degrees on this profile.
  • The horizontal scale is 1:50,000 and the vertical scale is 1:5,000.
  • Strong exaggeration is common in geology cross-sections and basin-scale profiles. Label the VE prominently so readers can judge true gradients.

Next stepThe Vertical exaggeration has been calculated above. Always annotate cross-sections and topographic profiles with the VE value so readers can interpret slope angles correctly.

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