1. What is the Distance Calculator?

The Miles Between Locations Calculator estimates the distance between two geographic points using their latitude and longitude coordinates. It provides a quick approximation of distance "as the crow flies" between locations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simplified distance formula:

Where:

• \( lat_1, lon_1 \) — Latitude and longitude of first location
• \( lat_2, lon_2 \) — Latitude and longitude of second location
• 69 — Approximate miles per degree of latitude/longitude

Explanation: The formula calculates the straight-line distance between two points on a plane, then converts from degrees to miles.

3. Importance of Distance Calculation

Details: Calculating distances between locations is essential for trip planning, logistics, mapping applications, and geographic analysis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal degrees format (e.g., 34.052235 for Los Angeles). Positive values are north/east, negative values are south/west.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a good approximation for short distances, but for precise measurements over long distances or near the poles, more complex formulas should be used.

Q2: Can I use addresses instead of coordinates?
A: This calculator requires latitude/longitude coordinates. You would need a geocoding service to convert addresses to coordinates first.

Q3: Why does the formula multiply by 69?
A: There are approximately 69 miles between degrees of latitude/longitude at the equator (varies slightly by location).

Q4: Does this account for the Earth's curvature?
A: No, this is a simplified planar calculation. For more accurate results over long distances, the Haversine formula would be better.

Q5: Can I calculate kilometers instead of miles?
A: To get kilometers, multiply the result by 1.60934 (1 mile = 1.60934 km).