Angle of Elevation Calculator
Find the angle of elevation (or depression) from height and horizontal distance.
Inputs
θ = arctan(opposite / adjacent)
Result
Enter values and click calculate.
Elevation vs depression
The angle of elevation is measured upward from the horizontal — for example, looking up at the top of a building. The angle of depression is measured downward from the horizontal — like looking down from a cliff at a boat.
Both are computed the same way: arctan(opposite / adjacent).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the angle of elevation?▾
The angle measured upward from a horizontal line to a line of sight. For example, looking up at the top of a tower from the ground.
What is the angle of depression?▾
The angle measured downward from a horizontal line. Looking down from a cliff to a boat on the water gives an angle of depression.
How are they calculated?▾
θ = arctan(opposite / adjacent), where opposite is the vertical distance and adjacent is the horizontal distance.
Are elevation and depression equal?▾
Between two points, the angle of elevation from A to B equals the angle of depression from B to A (alternate interior angles between parallel horizontals).