How to Find the Distance Between Two Points
The fastest way to find the distance between two points is to enter both locations into a free online distance calculator, which instantly returns both the straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance and the driving distance if a road route exists. If you already have GPS coordinates, you can also calculate it manually using the Haversine formula. Use the calculator above, or follow the methods below for any situation.
Straight-Line Distance
The shortest possible path between two points, calculated using the Haversine or Vincenty formula.
Driving Distance
The actual road route distance, always longer than the straight-line distance since roads curve and detour.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude and longitude pairs are the most precise way to define "two points" for a distance calculation.
Free Tools
Online calculators, Google Maps, and GPS apps can all measure distance without any cost.
3 Ways to Find the Distance Between Two Points
Which method you use depends on whether you have city names, addresses, or raw GPS coordinates:
Enter two city names or addresses into the calculator above. It instantly shows straight-line distance, driving distance, and a route map — no math required.
Right-click your starting point, select "Measure distance," then click your destination. Google Maps draws a straight line and shows the distance, or use "Directions" for driving distance.
If you have latitude/longitude for both points, apply the Haversine formula (see below) to calculate the great-circle distance yourself.
The Formula Behind Distance Calculations
Online calculators use one of two standard formulas to compute straight-line distance from GPS coordinates:
Haversine Formula
- Treats the Earth as a perfect sphere
- Fast to compute, accurate to within about 0.5%
- Most common method used by free online tools
Vincenty Formula
- Accounts for the Earth's ellipsoidal shape (flattened poles)
- More precise, used by GPS receivers and mapping systems
- Slightly more complex to calculate by hand
For most everyday purposes — trip planning, shipping estimates, or comparing two routes — the difference between the two formulas is negligible, and either gives a reliable answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you find the distance between two points?
The easiest way is to enter both locations into a free online distance calculator, which returns the straight-line and driving distance instantly. For GPS coordinates, you can calculate it manually with the Haversine formula.
How do I find distance between two points on Google Maps?
Right-click your starting location on Google Maps, choose "Measure distance," then click your destination. The straight-line distance appears at the bottom of the screen. Use "Directions" instead for driving distance.
What's the difference between straight-line and driving distance?
Straight-line distance ("as the crow flies") is the shortest possible path between two points. Driving distance follows actual roads, so it's almost always longer — typically by 10–25% depending on the route.
Do I need GPS coordinates to find a distance?
No. Most online distance calculators accept city names or addresses directly and convert them to coordinates behind the scenes. You only need raw latitude/longitude if you're calculating the distance manually.
Is an online distance calculator accurate?
Yes. Tools using the Haversine or Vincenty formula are accurate to within a fraction of a percent for straight-line distance, and driving distances match real road-route data.
Common Reasons to Calculate Distance
Road Trip Planning
Compare driving distances between cities to plan routes, fuel stops, and travel time.
Flight Distance
Estimate flight time and frequent flyer miles using straight-line distance between airports.
Shipping & Logistics
Businesses use distance calculations to estimate delivery windows and freight costs.
Fitness & Mapping
Runners and cyclists use coordinate-based distance calculations to measure routes and track progress.
Try It With a Popular Route
Want a real-world example? Check the Austin to Dallas distance guide to see straight-line vs. driving distance calculated for an actual route.