What is the Difference Between Altitude and Height?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The terms altitude and height are often used to describe the vertical distance between two points, but they have different meanings and applications. Here are the key differences between altitude and height:
- Height: Height is the vertical distance between two points above or below the Earth's surface. It is a more general term used to describe the vertical distance between two points in space or on the ground.
- Altitude: Altitude refers to the vertical distance between a specific object and the Earth's surface, measured from a datum (a point that can be considered "zero feet"). In aviation, true altitude refers to the vertical distance between a plane and mean sea level, while absolute altitude is the distance between the plane and the ground directly below it. In geography, altitude often refers to the height of a geographical feature above mean sea level.
In summary, height is a general term for the vertical distance between two points, while altitude is a more specific term that refers to the vertical distance from a particular object to the Earth's surface, measured from a datum. In practical applications, such as aviation, altitude is often used to describe the height of aircraft, while elevation is used to describe the height of geographical features above mean sea level.
Comparative Table: Altitude vs Height
The terms altitude and height are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings in certain contexts. Here is a table highlighting the differences between altitude and height:
| Term | Definition | Expression | Reference Level | Measurement Techniques |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altitude | The vertical distance of a point or object above a reference level, which can be mean sea level or ground level, depending on the context. | Commonly expressed in meters (m) or feet (ft). | Mean sea level or ground level. | Altimetry, GPS technology, and remote sensing instruments like LiDAR. |
| Height | The vertical distance from a point on Earth's surface to another point, such as the distance from a person's feet to their head or the distance from the ground to the top of a building. | Commonly expressed in meters (m) or feet (ft). | Earth's surface. | Direct levelling, trigonometric equations, and inclinometers. |
In summary, altitude refers to the height of a point or object above a reference level, while height refers to the vertical distance between two points on Earth's surface. Altitude is typically measured using altimetry, GPS technology, or remote sensing instruments like LiDAR, while height is measured using direct levelling, trigonometric equations, or inclinometers.
- Altitude vs Elevation
- Altitude vs Latitude
- Height vs Length
- Height vs Depth
- Tall vs High
- Altitude vs Median
- Height vs Width
- Altitude vs Perpendicular Bisector
- Mountain vs Hill
- Big vs Tall
- Gravity vs Weight
- Temperature vs Humidity
- Longitude vs Latitude
- Barometric Pressure vs Atmospheric Pressure
- Alternate vs Alternative
- Topology vs Topography
- Gravity vs Gravitation
- Atmosphere vs Space
- Hiking vs Walking