Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New GuineaIllustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Distance between cities
Choose two cities or tap two points on the map. The tool shows the distance along the shortest path on Earth and explains why it appears curved on the map.
Loading the map…
Tap the map to mark point A
Shortest path over the Earth
Along the map's straight line (constant bearing)
Direct flight, estimate
Country outlines and cities: Natural Earth (public domain). Distances calculated on a spherical Earth with a mean radius of 6,371 km.
How to use the map
Choose the departure city and the arrival city in the fields above the map, or tap two points on the map. Points A and B can be dragged to another place, and the distance updates instantly.
The solid line is the shortest path over the surface of the Earth. The dashed line is the map straight line, which on the Mercator projection corresponds to keeping the same compass heading.
Why the shortest path appears curved
The Earth is nearly a sphere, and the shortest path between two points on it is an arc of a great circle: a circle with the same center as the Earth, like the equator. On a flat map, that arc appears curved toward the nearest pole.
That is why flights between North America and Europe often pass near Greenland, and flights between East Asia and North America often pass near Alaska. On the map the route looks longer; on Earth, it is the shortest.
The Mercator map straight line follows a constant heading, the so-called rhumb line, used in older navigation because you only had to keep the same compass direction. Over long distances, it can be much longer than the shortest path.
How the tool estimates flight time
The time shown is an estimate for a direct flight, calculated using the average cruise speed of a jet airplane plus an allowance for takeoff and landing.
Actual time depends on the approved route, winds, stopovers and the aircraft. To plan your trip, confirm schedules with the airline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the straight-line distance between two cities?
It is the distance along the shortest path over the surface of the Earth, without considering roads, terrain or air routes. It is the measure the tool shows, calculated from the coordinates of the two cities.
Why does the plane route look curved on the map?
Because the shortest path on a sphere is an arc of a great circle. On the flat Mercator map, that arc appears curved toward the pole, even though it is the shortest route.
Is the airplane distance equal to the straight-line distance?
It is usually a bit longer. Planes follow air corridors, avoid restricted areas and bad weather, and take advantage of winds. The straight-line distance serves as a minimum reference.
How is flight time calculated?
It is an estimate for a direct flight, using the average cruise speed of a jet airplane plus an allowance for takeoff and landing. Stopovers, winds and the actual route change the time; confirm with the airline.
Does the tool show driving distance?
No. The distance shown is the shortest path over the Earth. Road distance is usually greater and depends on the highway layout.
How to measure the distance between any two points?
Tap two places on the map without choosing cities. The points can be dragged, and the distance is recalculated as you move them.