What is my elevation right now?
This elevation finder is a free GPS altimeter that runs entirely in your browser: open it on your phone, allow location access, and your current elevation above sea level appears on screen. Whether you're on a mountain pass, a hiking trail, or just wondering "what's my elevation?" from your own backyard, you can check how high you are in seconds — no download, no account needed.
Note for desktop users: most desktops and laptops have no GPS chip, so they can't measure real altitude. Open this page on your phone for an accurate reading.
A free altimeter that runs in your browser
This online altimeter uses the location service already available in a modern phone browser. It runs without an account or app installation: open the page, allow location access, and your height above sea level appears, along with the highest and lowest points of your session.
How to use it
- Open this page on your phone.
- Tap "Allow" when asked for location.
- Your elevation appears — step outside for the best fix.
How accurate is GPS altitude?
Vertical accuracy from GPS is inherently poorer than horizontal accuracy. With a clear view of the sky, phones typically resolve altitude to within 10–30 metres; indoors, under tree cover, or between tall buildings the fix degrades quickly or disappears. The tool shows your device's own ± accuracy estimate next to the reading so you can judge how much to trust it, and it smooths successive fixes so the number doesn't jump with every satellite update.
Ellipsoid height vs. sea level — why readings can differ
GPS satellites don't measure height against the sea directly. They measure it against the WGS84 ellipsoid — a smooth mathematical model of the Earth's shape that does not follow the true, lumpy sea-level surface (the geoid). The gap between the ellipsoid and the geoid, called the geoid height or undulation, ranges from roughly −105 m near the Indian Ocean to about +85 m near Iceland, so raw satellite altitude can sit tens of metres away from real elevation above sea level.
Most modern phones apply a geoid correction before reporting altitude, converting ellipsoidal height to an approximate mean-sea-level (orthometric) height. A residual offset can still remain — one reason your reading may differ from a summit sign, a trailhead marker, or a topographic map. For surveyed precision you need a barometric or professional instrument and a local reference; for answering "how high am I?" or "what is my current elevation?", GPS is more than enough.
Why is my elevation blank or unstable?
- Location permission denied. Check your browser's site settings, re-enable location for this page, then refresh.
- Indoors or obstructed sky. Altitude needs a stronger satellite fix than position alone. Move outside into open sky.
- Desktop or laptop. Most computers have no GPS chip — only phones can measure real altitude here.
- Just opened the page. The first altitude fix can take several seconds longer than the first position fix. Give it a moment.
Metres or feet
Tap the unit button to switch between metres and feet. Your choice is remembered on this device, so it'll still be set next time you open the page.
Use it for hiking, road trips, and curiosity
Because it reads altitude directly from GPS, the tool works on a trail, a mountain road, a ski lift, or your own backyard — anywhere your phone can see the sky. It also tracks your session's highest and lowest points, so you can see how much you've climbed since you opened the page.
Safety note: this is an informational tool. Do not rely on it for aviation, skydiving, mountaineering decisions, or any situation where a certified altimeter is required.
Your privacy
Everything runs in your browser. Your location is used only to read your altitude locally — it never leaves your device and is never sent to a server. Like most sites, we collect anonymous page-view analytics, but never your location or altitude.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is my current elevation, and how do I check it?
- Your current elevation is your height above sea level at the spot you're standing. To check it, open this page on your phone and allow location access — your device's GPS reports the altitude and the tool shows it in metres or feet, updating as you move.
- What elevation am I at right now?
- Whatever altitude your phone's GPS reports the moment you allow location. Reading outdoors under open sky gives the most reliable answer to "what elevation am I at"; indoors or between tall buildings the fix weakens and the number becomes less certain.
- How accurate is the GPS elevation reading?
- Vertical GPS accuracy is usually worse than horizontal accuracy — commonly within 10 to 30 metres outdoors with a clear view of the sky. The on-screen ± value is your device's own accuracy estimate; treat the reading as guidance, not a surveyed measurement.
- Is the altitude shown height above sea level?
- Approximately. Phones report GPS altitude against a mathematical model of the Earth, and depending on where you are this can differ from true sea-level height by tens of metres. Most modern phones correct for this, but small offsets remain.
- Is this online altimeter free?
- Yes. It is free, has no account requirement, and shows your live elevation plus your session's highest and lowest points in metres or feet.
- Why does it work best on a phone?
- Modern phones include the GPS hardware needed to measure altitude. Most desktop and laptop computers do not, so they cannot provide a real elevation reading.
- Does it work without an internet connection?
- After the page has loaded, GPS readings can continue if your data connection drops. Reopening or reloading the page still requires a connection because this browser tool is not installed for offline use.
- Can I use it for hiking, climbing, or flying?
- It works anywhere your phone has a usable GPS signal, so it suits hiking, hill walking, road trips, and general curiosity. Do not use it for aviation, skydiving, or any activity where a certified altimeter is required.
- Why does my elevation show — or keep jumping around?
- Altitude needs a good satellite fix — more satellites than a position fix alone. Move outdoors with a clear view of the sky and give it a few seconds; readings indoors or between tall buildings will be unstable or unavailable.