Distance & Bearing Calculator
Great-circle distance + true bearing between two positions
Haversine formula · NM · km · miles · Free tool – No login requiredCalculate
Results
Accepted Input Formats
| Decimal Degrees | 48.3639, 11.7761 |
| DMS | 48° 21' 50'' N, 11° 46' E |
| ICAO | 482150N0114634E |
| Signed DD | -33.8688, 151.2093 |
Example Routes
Method
Uses the Haversine formula to compute the great-circle distance (shortest path over the Earth's surface), assuming Earth radius = 6371 km (WGS-84 mean).
Bearing is the initial true course from A toward B, measured clockwise from True North (0°–360°).
Route Map
Aviation Distance & Bearing Calculator for Pilots
This free aviation distance calculator computes the great-circle distance between two geographic positions using the Haversine formula. Results are displayed in nautical miles (NM), kilometres (km), and statute miles — the three distance units most widely used in aviation planning, ATC coordination, and airline dispatch operations.
The true bearing calculator returns the initial true course from the departure point to the destination, measured clockwise from True North (0° to 360°). This corresponds to the VFR magnetic heading before applying local magnetic variation (magnetic declination). Helicopter pilots, fixed-wing crews, flight dispatchers, and ground-based operations staff use this tool to pre-plan sectors, cross-check route distances, and assist in SAR (search and rescue) coordinate calculations and area management.
The route map visualises the great-circle path between the two entered positions using an interactive Leaflet map. Both points are shown with labelled markers (A = departure, B = destination), and a dashed geodesic line connects them — giving a clear visual overview of the route and its orientation relative to terrain and airspace.
Input coordinates are accepted in multiple formats: Decimal Degrees (DD) (e.g. 48.3639, 11.7761), Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS) (e.g. 48° 21' 50'' N, 11° 46' 34'' E), and the compact ICAO coordinate format used in ICAO flight plans and NOTAMs (e.g. 482150N0114634E). Both hemispheres (N/S, E/W) and signed decimal formats for southern and western positions are supported.
For low-level helicopter operations, accurate distance and bearing data is critical for obstacle clearance planning, fuel calculations, crew briefings, and mission coordination. Combined with the Coordinate Converter and Unit Converter, this tool is part of HeliTool's free aviation planning toolkit — no registration required.