Ask Difference

Elevation vs. Level — What's the Difference?

By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 28, 2024
Elevation refers to the height of a point relative to sea level or ground level, emphasizing vertical positioning, whereas level implies a flat or even surface, focusing on horizontal uniformity.
Elevation vs. Level — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Elevation and Level

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Key Differences

Elevation is a term commonly used in geography and architecture to describe the height of a point above sea level or ground level, indicating its vertical distance. This measurement is crucial for understanding topography, building design, and flood risk assessment. Whereas, level refers to a flat or even surface with no inclines or declines, highlighting uniformity and equilibrium. It's a key concept in construction, landscaping, and design, ensuring structures are balanced and stable.
In the context of building and construction, elevation is used to determine the vertical positioning of various elements of a structure, such as floors, windows, and doors relative to a base point. This is important for drainage, views, and accessibility. On the other hand, level is essential for ensuring that the floors, foundations, and other horizontal surfaces are perfectly horizontal, which is critical for the structural integrity and aesthetics of the building.
When discussing geography, elevation plays a crucial role in climate, vegetation, and wildlife habitats, as it influences temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. Higher elevations typically experience cooler temperatures and diverse ecological conditions. Conversely, level areas, such as plains and valleys, may have more consistent climate conditions and are often used for agriculture due to their uniformity and ease of irrigation.
In terms of tools and measurements, an altimeter or GPS is used to measure elevation, providing precise readings of height above sea level. These tools are essential for navigation, hiking, and aviation. In contrast, a spirit level or laser level is used to check the flatness or levelness of surfaces, ensuring that constructions are correctly aligned and balanced.
Elevation maps and contour lines on topographic maps illustrate the variations in elevation of the Earth's surface, helping to visualize mountains, hills, and valleys. Meanwhile, level is a concept often depicted in architectural plans and engineering drawings to ensure that all elements of a construction project are aligned and properly oriented.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

The height of a point relative to sea level or ground level.
The flatness or evenness of a surface.

Primary Use

Geography, architecture, and navigation.
Construction, design, and manufacturing.

Measurement

Measured in feet or meters.
Determined by the absence of incline or decline.

Tools

Altimeter, GPS.
Spirit level, laser level.

Influence

Affects climate, vegetation, and flood risk.
Affects structural integrity and aesthetic balance.

Compare with Definitions

Elevation

The vertical distance from sea level to a point on Earth's surface.
The elevation of Denver, Colorado, is 5,280 feet above sea level.

Level

A flat or even surface without inclines or declines.
The contractor used a level to ensure the foundation was perfectly horizontal.

Elevation

In architecture, the external or internal vertical face of a building.
The eastern elevation of the building features a modern glass facade.

Level

The degree of intensity, achievement, or competence.
The game's difficulty level increases with each stage.

Elevation

Measurement of height above a predetermined reference point.
The elevation of the mountain peak is 14,000 feet above the base camp.

Level

To make a surface flat or even.
The crew leveled the ground before laying the patio stones.

Elevation

A drawing representing the vertical arrangement of a structure.
The architect presented elevations showing each side of the house.

Level

A device or instrument for establishing horizontal planes.
Using a laser level, the technician aligned the machinery accurately.

Elevation

The act of raising something to a higher position.
The elevation of the new bridge allows for larger ships to pass underneath.

Level

A specific stage or degree in a hierarchy or process.
She reached a new level of understanding in her studies.

Elevation

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.

Level

A horizontal plane or line with respect to the distance above or below a given point
The front garden is on a level with this floor

Elevation

The act or an instance of elevating
The slow elevation of body temperature.

Level

A position on a scale of amount, quantity, extent, or quality
Debt rose to unprecedented levels
A high level of unemployment

Elevation

The condition of being elevated
Her elevation among scholars.

Level

(in a video game) each of a series of stages of increasing difficulty through which a player may progress, completing one stage in order to reach the next
I've now reached level 106 on Candy Crush Saga

Elevation

The height to which something is elevated above a point of reference, especially mean sea level
The ridge rises to an elevation of 3,000 feet.

Level

An instrument marked with a line parallel to the plane of the horizon for testing whether things are horizontal.

Elevation

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

Level

A flat tract of land
The Somerset Levels

Elevation

An elevated place or position
The hill is the highest elevation around here.

Level

Having a flat, horizontal surface
We had reached level ground

Elevation

Loftiness or dignity, as of thought or feeling
A passage noted for its elevation of style.

Level

At the same height as someone or something else
His eyes were level with hers

Elevation

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

Level

Having the same relative position; not in front of or behind
The car backed rapidly until it was level with me

Elevation

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

Level

Calm and steady
The cold, level gaze he had given her

Elevation

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

Level

Give a flat and even surface to
Contractors started levelling the ground for the new power station

Elevation

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

Level

Begin to fly horizontally after climbing or diving
He quickly levelled off at 1500 ft

Elevation

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

Level

Make (something, especially a score in sport) equal or similar
Woods sliced the ball into the net to level the score
Ardsley deservedly levelled with two minutes remaining

Elevation

That which is raised up or elevated; an elevated place or station.
A hill is an elevation of the ground.
The elevation of the pole, or of a star

Level

Aim (a weapon)
He levelled a pistol at us

Elevation

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

Level

Be frank or honest with (someone)
When are you going to level with me?

Elevation

The angle which the gnomon makes with the substylar line.

Level

Ascertain differences in the height of (land).

Elevation

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.

Level

Relative position or rank on a scale
The local level of government.
Studying at the graduate level.

Elevation

(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.

Level

A relative degree, as of achievement, intensity, or concentration
An unsafe level of toxicity.
A high level of frustration.

Elevation

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

Level

A natural or proper position, place, or stage
I finally found my own level in the business world.

Elevation

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.

Level

Position along a vertical axis; height or depth
A platform at knee level.

Elevation

Condition of being elevated; height; exaltation.
His style . . . wanted a little elevation.

Level

A horizontal line or plane at right angles to the plumb.

Elevation

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

Level

The position or height of such a line or plane.

Elevation

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.

Level

A flat, horizontal surface.

Elevation

The angle which the style makes with the substylar line.

Level

A land area of uniform elevation.

Elevation

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.

Level

An instrument for ascertaining whether a surface is horizontal, vertical, or at a 45° angle, consisting essentially of an encased, liquid-filled tube containing an air bubble that moves to a center window when the instrument is set on an even plane. Also called spirit level.

Elevation

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.

Level

Such a device combined with a telescope and used in surveying.

Elevation

The event of something being raised upward;
An elevation of the temperature in the afternoon
A raising of the land resulting from volcanic activity

Level

A computation of the difference in elevation between two points by using such a device.

Elevation

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

Level

Having a flat, smooth surface
A level countertop.

Elevation

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

Level

Being on a horizontal plane
A level field.

Elevation

A raised or elevated geological formation

Level

Being at the same height or position as another; even.

Elevation

Distance of something above a reference point (such as sea level);
There was snow at the higher elevations

Level

Being at the same degree of rank, standing, or advantage as another; equal.

Elevation

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

Level

Being or relating to a specified rank or standing. Often used in combination
A lower-level administrator.

Elevation

Drawing of an exterior of a structure

Level

Exhibiting no abrupt variations; steady
Spoke in a level tone.

Elevation

The act of increasing the wealth or prestige or power or scope of something;
The aggrandizement of the king
His elevation to cardinal

Level

Rational and balanced; sensible
Came to a level appraisal of the situation.
Keeps a level head in an emergency.

Level

Filled evenly to the top
A level tablespoon of the medicine.

Level

To make horizontal, flat, or even
Leveled the driveway with a roller.
Leveled off the hedges with the clippers.

Level

To place on the same rank; equalize.

Level

To tear down (a building, for example); raze.

Level

To knock down, as with a blow; lay low
Leveled the opponent with an uppercut.

Level

To aim along a horizontal plane
Leveled the gun at the target.

Level

To direct emphatically or forcefully toward someone
Leveled charges of dishonesty.

Level

To measure the different elevations of (a tract of land) with a level.

Level

To bring persons or things to an equal level; equalize.

Level

To aim a weapon horizontally.

Level

(Informal) To be frank and open
Advised the suspect to level with the authorities.

Level

Along a flat or even line or plane.

Level

The same height at all places; parallel to a flat ground.
This table isn't quite level; see how this marble rolls off it?

Level

At the same height as some reference; constructed as level with.
We tried to hang the pictures so that the bottom of the frames were level with the dark line in the wallpaper.

Level

Unvaried in frequency.
His pulse has been level for 12 hours.

Level

Unvaried in volume.
His voice has been unchanged. It has been level for 12 hours.

Level

Calm.
He kept a level head under stress.
He kept a level gaze.

Level

In the same position or rank.

Level

Straightforward; direct; clear.

Level

Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial.
A level head; a level understanding

Level

(phonetics) Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection; monotonic.

Level

(physics) Perpendicular to a gravitational force.
The earth's oceans remain level in relation to the pull of gravity.

Level

A tool for finding whether a surface is level, or for creating a horizontal or vertical line of reference.
Hand me the level so I can tell if this is correctly installed.

Level

A distance relative to a given reference elevation.
By the end of the day, we'd dug down to the level of the old basement floor.

Level

Degree or amount.
The sound level is much too high; this hurts my ears.
We've reached a new level of success.

Level

Achievement or qualification.
She achieved a high level of distinction.

Level

(computer science) Distance from the root node of a tree structure.

Level

(video games) One of several discrete segments of a game, generally increasing in difficulty and representing different locations in the game world.
It took me weeks to get to level seven.
Watch out for the next level; the bad guys there are really overpowered.

Level

A numeric value that quantifies a character, ability, or item's experience and power.
My half-orc barbarian reached fifth level before he was squashed by a troll.

Level

A floor of a multi-storey building.
Take the elevator and get off at the promenade level.

Level

(British) An area of almost perfectly flat land.

Level

A school grade or year.

Level

To adjust so as to make as flat or perpendicular to the ground as possible.
You can level the table by turning the pads that screw into the feet.

Level

To destroy by reducing to ground level; to raze.
The hurricane leveled the forest.

Level

To progress to the next level.
I levelled after defeating the dragon.

Level

To aim or direct (a weapon, a stare, an accusation, etc).
He levelled an accusation of fraud at the directors.
The hunter levels the gun before taking a shot.

Level

To direct or impose (a penalty, fine, etc) at or upon (someone).

Level

(sports) To make the score of a game equal.

Level

(figurative) To bring to a common level or plane, in respect of rank, condition, character, privilege, etc.
To level all the ranks and conditions of men

Level

To adjust or adapt to a certain level.
To level remarks to the capacity of children

Level

To speak honestly and openly with.

Level

A line or surface to which, at every point, a vertical or plumb line is perpendicular; a line or surface which is everywhere parallel to the surface of still water; - this is the true level, and is a curve or surface in which all points are equally distant from the center of the earth, or rather would be so if the earth were an exact sphere.

Level

A horizontal line or plane; that is, a straight line or a plane which is tangent to a true level at a given point and hence parallel to the horizon at that point; - this is the apparent level at the given point.

Level

An approximately horizontal line or surface at a certain degree of altitude, or distance from the center of the earth; as, to climb from the level of the coast to the level of the plateau and then descend to the level of the valley or of the sea.
After draining of the level in Northamptonshire.
Shot from the deadly level of a gun.

Level

Hence, figuratively, a certain position, rank, standard, degree, quality, character, etc., conceived of as in one of several planes of different elevation.
Providence, for the most part, sets us on a level.
Somebody there of his own level.
Be the fair level of thy actions laidAs temperance wills and prudence may persuade.

Level

A uniform or average height; a normal plane or altitude; a condition conformable to natural law or which will secure a level surface; as, moving fluids seek a level.
When merit shall find its level.

Level

An instrument by which to find a horizontal line, or adjust something with reference to a horizontal line.

Level

A horizontal passage, drift, or adit, in a mine.

Level

Even; flat; having no part higher than another; having, or conforming to, the curvature which belongs to the undisturbed liquid parts of the earth's surface; as, a level field; level ground; the level surface of a pond or lake.
Ample spaces o'er the smoothAnd level pavement.

Level

Coinciding or parallel with the plane of the horizon; horizontal; as, the telescope is now level.

Level

Even with anything else; of the same height; on the same line or plane; on the same footing; of equal importance; - followed by with, sometimes by to.
Young boys and girlsAre level now with men; the odds is gone.
Everything lies level to our wish.

Level

Straightforward; direct; clear; open.
A very plain and level account.

Level

Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial; as, a level head; a level understanding. [Colloq.]

Level

Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection.

Level

To make level; to make horizontal; to bring to the condition of a level line or surface; hence, to make flat or even; as, to level a road, a walk, or a garden.

Level

To bring to a lower level; to overthrow; to topple down; to reduce to a flat surface; to lower.
And their proud structures level with the ground.
He levels mountains and he raises plains.

Level

To bring to a horizontal position, as a gun; hence, to point in taking aim; to aim; to direct.
Bertram de Gordon, standing on the castle wall, leveled a quarrel out of a crossbow.

Level

Figuratively, to bring to a common level or plane, in respect of rank, condition, character, privilege, etc.; as, to level all the ranks and conditions of men.

Level

To adjust or adapt to a certain level; as, to level remarks to the capacity of children.
For all his mind on honor fixed is,To which he levels all his purposes.

Level

To be level; to be on a level with, or on an equality with, something; hence, to accord; to agree; to suit.
With such accommodation and besortAs levels with her breeding.

Level

To aim a gun, spear, etc., horizontally; hence, to aim or point a weapon in direct line with the mark; fig., to direct the eye, mind, or effort, directly to an object; as, he leveled a gun at the bandit and fired.
The foeman may with as great aim level at the edge of a penknife.
The glory of God and the good of his church . . . ought to be the mark whereat we also level.
She leveled at our purposes.

Level

A position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality;
A moderate degree of intelligence
A high level of care is required
It is all a matter of degree

Level

A relative position or degree of value in a graded group;
Lumber of the highest grade

Level

A specific identifiable position in a continuum or series or especially in a process;
A remarkable degree of frankness
At what stage are the social sciences?

Level

Height above ground;
The water reached ankle level
The pictures were at the same level

Level

Indicator that establishes the horizontal when a bubble is centered in a tube of liquid

Level

A flat surface at right angles to a plumb line;
Park the car on the level

Level

Structure consisting of a room or set of rooms comprising a single level of a multilevel building;
What level is the office on?

Level

An abstract place usually conceived as having depth;
A good actor communicates on several levels
A simile has at least two layers of meaning
The mind functions on many strata simultaneously

Level

Aim at;
Level criticism or charges at somebody

Level

Tear down so as to make flat with the ground;
The building was levelled

Level

Make level or straight;
Level the ground

Level

Direct into a position for use;
Point a gun
He charged his weapon at me

Level

Talk frankly with; lay it on the line;
I have to level with you

Level

Become level or even;
The ground levelled off

Level

Having a horizontal surface in which no part is higher or lower than another;
A flat desk
Acres of level farmland
A plane surface

Level

Not showing abrupt variations;
Spoke in a level voice
She gave him a level look

Level

Being on a precise horizontal plane;
A billiard table must be level

Level

Oriented at right angles to the plumb;
The picture is level

Level

Of the score in a contest;
The score is tied

Common Curiosities

What tools are used to determine if a surface is level?

A spirit level or laser level is used to check the flatness or levelness of surfaces.

How is elevation measured?

Elevation is measured in feet or meters above sea level, often using tools like altimeters or GPS devices.

Why is elevation important in geography?

Elevation influences climate, vegetation, and wildlife habitats, affecting ecological and environmental conditions.

What is elevation?

Elevation is the height of a point above sea level or another reference point, indicating vertical distance.

Can elevation affect climate?

Yes, elevation can significantly affect climate, with higher elevations typically experiencing cooler temperatures.

What does level mean?

Level refers to the flatness or evenness of a surface, with no inclines or declines.

How do elevation and level differ in their application in architecture?

Elevation refers to the vertical aspects and facade design, while level pertains to ensuring horizontal surfaces are even.

Why is it important to measure elevation accurately?

Accurate elevation measurements are vital for flood risk assessment, building design, and environmental planning.

What happens if a surface is not perfectly level in construction?

If a surface is not level, it can lead to structural issues, uneven wear, or aesthetic problems in the construction.

What role does elevation play in navigation?

Elevation is crucial for navigation, especially in aviation and hiking, to avoid obstacles and ensure safety.

Is it important for furniture to be level?

Yes, for aesthetic reasons and to ensure stability and functionality, furniture should be level.

How does level impact construction?

Ensuring surfaces are level is crucial for structural integrity, aesthetics, and the functionality of buildings and infrastructure.

Can level surfaces still have a slight slope for drainage?

Yes, level surfaces can have a slight slope for drainage purposes, especially in outdoor settings.

Do all areas at the same elevation have the same climate?

No, other factors like latitude, ocean currents, and local geography also influence climate, not just elevation.

Does elevation change over time?

Yes, elevation can change due to natural processes like erosion, sediment deposition, or tectonic activity.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

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