Altitude vs. Height — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 5, 2023
Altitude refers to the distance above a specific reference point, often the earth's surface or sea level, while height is the measurement of someone or something from base to top.
Difference Between Altitude and Height
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Altitude is typically used to describe the elevation of an object or location above a fixed reference point, often the earth's surface or sea level. For example, when flying, we often refer to an airplane's altitude above sea level. Height, on the other hand, typically describes the measurement of someone or something from its base to its top. For instance, we refer to the height of a person or the height of a building.
Altitude is often measured in feet or meters above sea level, especially in aviation and geography. A mountain's altitude, for instance, indicates how high it stands above sea level. Height can be used in various contexts and can also be measured in feet, meters, centimeters, etc. It can pertain to how tall an individual is or the stature of a structure.
Altitude often conveys the idea of "above ground" or "in the air." For example, when someone speaks of a bird's altitude, they're referring to its elevation in the sky. Height, conversely, does not always imply a relation to the ground but rather indicates a vertical measurement, whether it's the height of a tree or the height of a shelf on a wall.
Altitude has significant implications in geography and climate. Areas of high altitude, like mountain ranges, often have different climates compared to lower-lying areas. Height, while it can have geographical implications, like the height of a waterfall, is more commonly used in everyday contexts.
Altitude often has a more objective standpoint, referencing a universally understood point like sea level. Height, however, can sometimes be relative. For instance, the height of a hill might be measured from its base, which could be different depending on the observer's perspective.
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Comparison Chart
Reference Point
Above a specific reference (e.g., sea level, ground).
From base to top of an object or individual.
Typical Usage
Aviation, geography.
Everyday contexts, physical stature.
Measurement Units
Feet or meters above sea level.
Feet, meters, centimeters, etc.
Relation
Often related to "above ground" or "in the air."
Vertical measurement, not always above ground.
Significance
Impacts geography and climate.
Used to describe stature or vertical length.
Compare with Definitions
Altitude
The vertical elevation of an object above a reference point.
The airplane maintained an altitude of 30,000 feet.
Height
The measurement of someone or something from base to top.
The height of the tree is 20 feet.
Altitude
The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to the opposite vertex or side.
The altitude of the triangle was 10 cm.
Height
The stature or elevation of an individual.
His height is six feet tall.
Altitude
A place's height above sea level or ground level.
The city's altitude gives it a cooler climate.
Height
A specified distance above a level or line.
The ball bounced to a height of 5 feet.
Altitude
A high position or level in a hierarchy or organization.
She reached an altitude of success in her career.
Height
Height is measure of vertical distance, either vertical extent (how "tall" something or someone is) or vertical position (how "high" a point is). For example, "The height of that building is 50 m" or "The height of an airplane in-flight is about 10,000 m".
Altitude
Altitude or height (also sometimes known as depth) is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The exact definition and reference datum varies according to the context (e.g., aviation, geometry, geographical survey, sport, or atmospheric pressure).
Height
Abbr. h The distance from the base of something to the top.
Altitude
The height of a thing above a reference level, especially above sea level or above the earth's surface.
Height
Elevation above a given level, as of the sun or a star above the horizon; altitude.
Altitude
Great height or elevation
Has trouble breathing at altitude.
Height
The condition or attribute of being relatively or sufficiently high or tall
Height is an advantage in basketball.
Altitude
Often altitudes A high location or area.
Height
Stature, especially of the human body.
Altitude
(Astronomy) The angular distance above the observer's horizon of a celestial object.
Height
A hill, mountain, or other piece of ground that stands out from the surrounding land.
Altitude
(Mathematics) The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to the opposite vertex, parallel side, or parallel surface.
Height
A high point or position
Prices rose to stunning heights.
Altitude
The absolute height of a location, usually measured from sea level.
As the altitude increases, the temperature gets lower, so remember to bring warm clothes to the mountains.
Height
The highest or uppermost point; the summit or apex
Finally reached the height of the mountain.
Altitude
A vertical distance.
Height
The highest or most advanced degree; the zenith
At the height of her career.
Altitude
(geometry) The distance measured perpendicularly from a figure's vertex to the opposite side of the vertex.
The perpendicular height of a triangle is known as its altitude.
Height
The point of highest intensity; the climax
The height of a storm.
Altitude
(astronomy) The angular distance of a heavenly body above our Earth's horizon.
Height
(Obsolete) High rank, estate, or degree.
Altitude
Height of rank or excellence; superiority.
Height
(Archaic) Loftiness of mind.
Altitude
Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs.
Height
(Obsolete) Arrogance; hauteur
"He returned me a very resolute answer, and full of height" (Oliver Cromwell).
Altitude
Highest point or degree.
Height
The distance from the base of something to the top.
Altitude
Space extended upward; height; the perpendicular elevation of an object above its foundation, above the ground, or above a given level, or of one object above another; as, the altitude of a mountain, or of a bird above the top of a tree.
Height
The distance of something above the ground or some other chosen level.
We flew at a height of 15 000 meters.
Altitude
The elevation of a point, or star, or other celestial object, above the horizon, measured by the arc of a vertical circle intercepted between such point and the horizon. It is either true or apparent; true when measured from the rational or real horizon, apparent when from the sensible or apparent horizon.
Height
(phonetics) A quality of vowels, indicating the vertical position of the tongue relative to the roof of the mouth; in practice, the first formant, associated with the height of the tongue.
Altitude
The perpendicular distance from the base of a figure to the summit, or to the side parallel to the base; as, the altitude of a triangle, pyramid, parallelogram, frustum, etc.
Height
The vertical distance from the ground to the highest part of a standing person or animal (withers in the case of a horse).
Altitude
Height of degree; highest point or degree.
He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue.
Height
The highest point or maximum degree.
She's at the height of her career.
Altitude
Height of rank or excellence; superiority.
Height
A high point.
Altitude
Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs.
The man of law began to get into his altitude.
Height
A mountain, especially a very high one.
Altitude
Elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface;
The altitude gave her a headache
Height
(Sussex) An area of land at the top of a cliff.
Altitude
The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to opposite vertex (or side if parallel)
Height
(maths) The amplitude of a sine function
Altitude
Angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
Height
The condition of being high; elevated position.
Behold the height of the stars, how high they are!
Altitude
The height of a celestial body above the horizon.
The sun's altitude was at its peak at noon.
Height
The distance to which anything rises above its foot, above that on which in stands, above the earth, or above the level of the sea; altitude; the measure upward from a surface, as the floor or the ground, of an animal, especially of a man; stature.
[Goliath's] height was six cubits and a span.
Height
Degree of latitude either north or south.
Guinea lieth to the north sea, in the same height as Peru to the south.
Height
That which is elevated; an eminence; a hill or mountain; as, Alpine heights.
Height
Elevation in excellence of any kind, as in power, learning, arts; also, an advanced degree of social rank; preëminence or distinction in society; prominence.
Measure your mind's height by the shade it casts.
All would in his power hold, all make his subjects.
Height
Progress toward eminence; grade; degree.
Social duties are carried to greater heights, and enforced with stronger motives by the principles of our religion.
Height
Utmost degree in extent; extreme limit of energy or condition; as, the height of a fever, of passion, of madness, of folly; the height of a tempest.
My grief was at the height before thou camest.
[He] spake these same words, all on hight.
Height
The vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
Height
The highest level or degree attainable;
His landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty
The artist's gifts are at their acme
At the height of her career
The peak of perfection
Summer was at its peak
...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame
The summit of his ambition
So many highest superlatives achieved by man
At the top of his profession
Height
Natural height of a person or animal in an upright position
Height
Elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface;
The altitude gave her a headache
Height
A point or area of great elevation.
The height of the mountain is challenging to climb.
Height
The highest point or degree; peak.
She was at the height of her fame.
Common Curiosities
What's the primary distinction between altitude and height?
Altitude refers to distance above a specific reference, often sea level, while height measures from base to top.
Can height be relative?
Yes, height can be relative, depending on the observer's perspective.
Which term is more commonly used in aviation?
Altitude is the term predominantly used in aviation.
Is altitude always measured from sea level?
Often, but not always. Altitude can also refer to heights above ground level.
Is the height of a mountain the same as its altitude?
Not necessarily. Altitude refers to the mountain's elevation above sea level, while its height can refer to its measurement from base to peak.
Can the word altitude relate to objects in space?
Yes, altitude can refer to the height of celestial bodies above the horizon.
Is altitude always a vertical measurement?
Yes, altitude refers to vertical elevation above a reference point.
Which term, altitude or height, is more versatile in everyday language?
Height is more versatile and used in a wider range of everyday contexts.
Can altitude be used in geometry?
Yes, it can refer to the perpendicular distance from the base of a figure to the opposite vertex or side.
Do both altitude and height have metaphorical uses?
Yes, both can be used metaphorically, like "altitude of success" or "height of fame."
Is height only used for physical measurements?
No, height can also refer to intangible peaks, like "the height of success."
Can altitude affect climate?
Yes, regions with high altitude often have different climate characteristics.
Do the words altitude and height have the same origin?
No, altitude comes from Latin "altitudo", while height comes from Old English "híehþo."
Can height indicate depth as well?
Yes, in some contexts, like "the height of a well," it can indicate depth.
How can height be relative?
The height of an object can change based on the reference point, like measuring a hill from different bases.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
