Azimuth vs. Elevation — What's the Difference?

Azimuth is used in navigation to express the direction of travel.

Elevation is the height of a point above sea level.

Azimuth is the angle between a reference direction and a point.

The elevation of a geographic location is its height above or below a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface (see Geodetic datum § Vertical datum). The term elevation is mainly used when referring to points on the Earth's surface, while altitude or geopotential height is used for points above the surface, such as an aircraft in flight or a spacecraft in orbit, and depth is used for points below the surface.

In astronomy, azimuth indicates the horizontal direction of a celestial body.

The act or an instance of elevating

It’s a geographic tool to specify the direction of a location.

The condition of being elevated

An azimuth ( (listen); from Arabic اَلسُّمُوت as-sumūt, 'the directions', the plural form of the Arabic noun السَّمْت as-samt, meaning 'the direction') is an angular measurement in a spherical coordinate system. The vector from an observer (origin) to a point of interest is projected perpendicularly onto a reference plane; the angle between the projected vector and a reference vector on the reference plane is called the azimuth.

The height to which something is elevated above a point of reference, especially mean sea level

The horizontal angular distance from a reference direction, usually the northern point of the horizon, to the point where a vertical circle through a celestial body intersects the horizon, usually measured clockwise. Sometimes the southern point is used as the reference direction, and the measurement is made clockwise through 360°.

The angular distance of an object above the observer's horizon.

The horizontal angle of an observer's bearing, measured clockwise from a reference direction such as true north.

An elevated place or position

The horizontal angle of a projectile's motion, measured relative to a reference direction such as true north.

Loftiness or dignity, as of thought or feeling

An arc of the horizon intercepted between the meridian of the place and a vertical circle passing through the center of any object.

A scale drawing of the side, front, or rear of a structure.

The quadrant of an azimuth circle.

The ability to achieve height in a jump, as in ballet.

The quadrant of an azimuth circle.

The degree of height reached when such a jump is executed.

The azimuth of a celestial body is the angle between the vertical plane containing it and the plane of the meridian

The act of raising from a lower place, condition, or quality to a higher; said of material things, persons, the mind, the voice, etc.

In photography, azimuth determines the direction of light.

The condition of being or feeling elevated; heightened; exaltation.

That which is raised up or elevated; an elevated place or station.

The measured vertical distance from the peak of a mountain or hill to its bordering lowlands.

The angle which the gnomon makes with the substylar line.

The movement of the axis of a piece in a vertical plane; also, the angle of elevation, that is, the angle between the axis of the piece and the line of sight; distinguished from direction.

(architecture) A geometrical projection of a building, or other object, on a plane perpendicular to the horizon; orthographic projection on a vertical plane; called by the ancients the orthography.

The raising of the host—representing Christ’s body—in a mass or Holy Communion service.

The act of raising from a lower place, condition, or quality to a higher; - said of material things, persons, the mind, the voice, etc.; as, the elevation of grain; elevation to a throne; elevation of mind, thoughts, or character.

Condition of being elevated; height; exaltation.

That which is raised up or elevated; an elevated place or station; as, an elevation of the ground; a hill.

The distance of a celestial object above the horizon, or the arc of a vertical circle intercepted between it and the horizon; altitude; as, the elevation of the pole, or of a star.

The angle which the style makes with the substylar line.

The movement of the axis of a piece in a vertical plane; also, the angle of elevation, that is, the angle between the axis of the piece and the line o sight; - distinguished from direction.

A geometrical projection of a building, or other object, on a plane perpendicular to the horizon; orthographic projection on a vertical plane; - called by the ancients the orthography.

The event of something being raised upward;

The highest level or degree attainable;

Angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)

A raised or elevated geological formation

Distance of something above a reference point (such as sea level);

(ballet) the height of a dancer's leap or jump;

Drawing of an exterior of a structure

The act of increasing the wealth or prestige or power or scope of something;

Elevation refers to the angle above or below the horizontal plane.

In architecture, elevation is the external design of a building’s face.

It’s used in topography to describe the height of landforms.

In astronomy, elevation indicates the height of a celestial body in the sky.

Yes, the azimuth of an object can change based on the observer’s location.

Azimuth is an angular measurement used to determine the direction of an object from a fixed reference point, usually north.

Elevation is the height of a point above sea level or the ground, while altitude is the height of an object, such as an airplane, in the sky.

Yes, higher elevations generally have cooler temperatures and different climatic conditions.

No, azimuth angles range from 0° to 360° and are not expressed in negative values.

In satellite communication, azimuth is used to determine the direction to point a ground antenna towards a satellite.

Yes, elevation is crucial in aviation for safe navigation and to avoid obstacles.

- Yes, smartphones use azimuth for compass applications and navigation.

Yes, elevation can be zero when a point is at sea level or on the horizontal plane.

Elevation affects topography by determining the shape, height, and features of the Earth’s surface.

Elevation is important for understanding terrain, designing buildings, and ensuring proper drainage and structural stability.

Elevation can range from -90° to 90°, with 90° being directly overhead.

Yes, azimuth can be used for direction finding in underwater navigation.

Yes, azimuth is used in astronomy to locate celestial bodies in the sky.

Some maps, especially nautical and astronomical charts, may show azimuth for navigation purposes.