Elevation vs. Altitude — What's the Difference?

A higher or raised position or degree.

The height of an aircraft above sea level or ground level.

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.

A position at a high level in any context.

The act or an instance of elevating

The angular distance of a celestial body above the horizon.

The condition of being elevated

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).

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

The height of a thing above a reference level, especially above sea level or above the earth's surface.

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

Great height or elevation

An elevated place or position

Often altitudes A high location or area.

Loftiness or dignity, as of thought or feeling

(Astronomy) The angular distance above the observer's horizon of a celestial object.

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

(Mathematics) The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to the opposite vertex, parallel side, or parallel surface.

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

The absolute height of a location, usually measured from sea level.

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

A vertical distance.

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

(geometry) The distance measured perpendicularly from a figure's vertex to the opposite side of the vertex.

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

(astronomy) The angular distance of a heavenly body above our Earth's horizon.

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

Height of rank or excellence; superiority.

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

Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs.

The angle which the gnomon makes with the substylar line.

Highest point or degree.

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.

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.

(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 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.

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

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.

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.

Height of degree; highest point or degree.

Condition of being elevated; height; exaltation.

Height of rank or excellence; superiority.

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

Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs.

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.

Elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface;

The angle which the style makes with the substylar line.

The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to opposite vertex (or side if parallel)

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.

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

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 height of an object or point in relation to the ground.

The event of something being raised upward;

A vertical distance measurement, especially in the atmosphere.

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;

The vertical distance of a point on the Earth's surface above sea level.

The height of a mountain or hill above its surroundings.

A move to a higher rank or position.

The angle above horizontal an observer must look to see an object.

Generally, altitude refers to heights in the air, like aircraft, not mountains.

Yes, elevation is measured from sea level.

Yes, altitude is crucial in aviation for safety and navigation.

Elevation refers to height above sea level, while altitude can be height above ground or sea level.

Yes, in astronomy, altitude is the angular distance above the horizon.

Yes, it can also mean a raised or higher position.

Yes, it can metaphorically refer to a higher rank or status.

Yes, altitude can be variable, especially for objects in motion like aircraft.

No, elevation always uses sea level, while altitude can use ground level or sea level.

Yes, altitude is critical in air navigation for flight paths and airspace management.

Yes, elevation is used in GPS for accurate topographical data.

Yes, elevation influences temperature and precipitation patterns.

No, they are used in different contexts and have distinct meanings.

Yes, it can metaphorically refer to a high-level position or status.

Yes, both are important in geography for understanding topography and navigation.