Accurately calculate the curvature on the ball Earth. Uses a cosine function, works for all distances in both kilometers and miles. Open source on Github.
The theoretical geometric curvature of the Earth causes the surface to fall away from a perfectly horizontal line by approximately eight inches for every mile squared.
What is the Curvature of the Earth Per Mile? The Earth curves approximately 8 inches per mile squared. This means that for every mile you move away from an observation point, the Earth drops approximately 8 inches due to its curvature; this effect compounds with distance.
Uncover the exact geometry behind Earth’s curvature. Calculate the precise drop per mile and explore how atmospheric refraction changes observation.
Earth's curvature The Earth curves about 8 inches per mile. As a result, on a flat surface with your eyes 5 feet or so off the ground, the farthest edge that you can see is about 3 miles away.
Most sources consider 8 inches per mile as the most accurate estimate. That means that for every mile between you and an object, the curvature will obstruct 8 inches of the object's height.
In an earlier question on the curvature of the Earth Harley showed that the earth curves approximately 8 inches per mile. Since 6 feet is 72 inches and 9*8 = 72, the Earth curves approximately 6 feet in 9 miles.
Estimate Earth curvature drop for any travel distance. Compare standard radius, custom radius, and refraction effects. Export results, view tables, and verify geometry instantly today.
At 1 mile, the Earth curves approximately 8 inches (0.67 feet or 0.2 meters). However, this is not a linear relationship — at 2 miles the drop is about 2.67 feet (not 16 inches), and at 10 miles it's about 66.7 feet.
For those in the know, the most precise value of curvature is about 8 inches per mile. This means that for each mile of distance between you and another object, the curvature obstructs approximately 8 inches of the object’s height.
My calculator gives a = 20924640.00000002 feet and hence the Earth curves approximately 0.00000002 \times 12 = 0.00000024 inches in 1 foot. Does such a small number make sense? I think so. The Earth curves very slowly and at a distance of one foot the surface would be virtually indistinguishable from a flat plane.
Uncover the exact geometry behind Earth’s curvature. Calculate the precise drop per mile and explore how atmospheric refraction changes observation.
The average radius of the Earth is approximately 6,371 kilometers (3,959 miles). This radius allows us to calculate the Earth’s curvature. The rate of curvature is approximately 8 inches per mile squared. This means that for every mile you travel, the Earth curves downward by about 8 inches. This effect compounds rapidly over longer distances.
The Earth's radius (r) is 6371 km or 3959 miles, based on numbers from Wikipedia, which gives a circumference (c) of c = 2 * π * r = 40 030 km We wish to find the height (h) which is the drop in curvature over the distance (d) Using the circumference we find that 1 kilometer has the angle 360° / 40 030 km = 0.009°. The angle (a) is then a = 0.009° * distance (d) The derived formula h = r
Thanks for your time. [Original answer:] In an earlier question on the curvature of the Earth Harley showed that the earth curves approximately 8 inches per mile. Since 6 feet is 72 inches and 9*8 = 72, the Earth curves approximately 6 feet in 9 miles. Thus the two men would have to be approximately 18 miles apart.
Quantifying Earth’s Curvature The Earth’s curvature can be quantified, and a commonly cited approximation is that it drops approximately 8 inches per mile squared. For instance, over a distance of two miles, the drop would be 32 inches (8 inches multiplied by 2 squared).
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The Curve of the Earth Per Mile: A Comprehensive Guide The curvature of the Earth is a fascinating topic that blends geometry, physics, and observation. While often overlooked in our daily lives, understanding the Earth's curvature is crucial for various fields, from surveying and navigation to long-distance photography and even understanding atmospheric phenomena. This article delves into the
The statement about the curvature of Earth got me thinking. How much does the Earth’s surface deviate from a horizontal line over a distance of 100 feet? The contractor’s number intuiti
At one mile, the surface drops about eight inches. At two miles, the drop is four times that amount, or 32 inches, because the distance is squared. At three miles, the drop is nine times the initial eight inches, resulting in 72 inches, or six feet. This calculation establishes the raw, theoretical measure of the Earth’s curve.
The Earth's radius (r) is 6371 km or 3959 miles, based on numbers from Wikipedia, which gives a circumference (c) of c = 2 * π * r = 40 030 km We wish to find the height (h) which is the drop in curvature over the distance (d) Using the circumference we find that 1 kilometer has the angle 360° / 40 030 km = 0.009°. The angle (a) is then a = 0.009° * distance (d) The derived formula h = r
The Earth is an oblate spheroid, meaning it is a sphere slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator, and this shape dictates how much the surface drops away over distance. For practical purposes, calculating the terrestrial curve relies on an average spherical radius, which yields a widely accepted value for the drop. The theoretical geometric curvature of the Earth causes the
Curvature of Earth per mile How large is the curvature of Earth, then? As we don't notice it in our everyday lives, it has to be relatively small. Most sources consider 8 inches per mile as the most accurate estimate. That means that for every mile between you and an object, the curvature will obstruct 8 inches of the object's height.
The Earth curves approximately 8 inches per mile squared. This means that for every mile you move away from an observation point, the Earth drops approximately 8 inches due to its curvature; this effect compounds with distance.
Earth's curvature The Earth curves about 8 inches per mile. As a result, on a flat surface with your eyes 5 feet or so off the ground, the farthest edge that you can see is about 3 miles away.
Uncover the exact geometry behind Earth’s curvature. Calculate the precise drop per mile and explore how atmospheric refraction changes observation.
Thanks for your time. [Original answer:] In an earlier question on the curvature of the Earth Harley showed that the earth curves approximately 8 inches per mile. Since 6 feet is 72 inches and 9*8 = 72, the Earth curves approximately 6 feet in 9 miles. Thus the two men would have to be approximately 18 miles apart.
How large is the curvature of Earth, then? As we don't notice it in our everyday lives, it has to be relatively small. Most sources consider 8 inches per mile as the most accurate estimate.
Convert miles to inches, and h = 8d². The correct statement should be 8 inches times miles squared per miles squared in keeping with dimensional analysis. This equation does tell you the change in height as the Earth curves away, but of course
Hi, I am trying to figure out how much the earth curves over a one foot distance. I'd like to be able to draw the exact arc on a piece of paper. I am an artist and am looking to make glass vessels with the exact curvature of the earth. I read on your site that it curves approximately 8 inches
Answer (1 of 27): You have a metric for the curvature of the earth (8 inches per mile, per mile). That’s not the same thing as saying that if I just multiply that times 23 miles, or even 23-squared miles-squared, you’ll find a shift.
That means: d = sqrt(2R+1) where that was never archived. This is from 2009: Hi, I've read that the curvature of the earth is approximately eight inches per mile
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This app calculates how much a distant object is obscured by the earth's curvature, and makes the following assumptions:
Earth's polar circumference is very near to 21,600 nautical miles because the nautical mile was intended to express one minute of latitude (see meridian arc), which is 21,600 partitions of the polar circumference (that is 60 minutes × 360 degrees).
Flat-Earthers use “8 inches per mile squared” to calculate the hidden height of a distant object. It is not the proper formula as it ignores the observer’s height & refraction.
Miles Squared X 8 Inches= Inches 80 4,266 Feet 90 5,400 Feet 100 6,666 Feet 120 9,600 Feet Close, it's slightly more than 8" per mile² so as you add more and more miles your answer drifts from the actual value (assuming
He did not understand that the use Equation 1 or Equation 2 to calculate the deviation from horizontal at 1 mile, we get 8 inches
I recently received an email from stated this: Eric Dubay says to use this formula for drop due to earth curve 8" x the square of the mile
The envelope of gas surrounding the Earth changes from the ground up. Five distinct layers have been identified using Each of the layers are bounded by "pauses" where the greatest changes in thermal characteristics, chemical composition, movement, and density occur. This is the outermost layer of the atmosphere. It extends from about 375 miles (600 km) to 6,200 miles (10,000 km) above the earth.
I know it isn't 8 inches per mile squared I'm just curious.” Mathematically, curvature is simply the inverse of radius of curvature. For a sphere, the radius of curvature is just the radius.
Adjusted Non-Fuel Cost and Non-Fuel Unit Cost or Cost per Available Seat Mile, ("CASM-Ex")
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That is basic geometry (because it corresponds to 90 degrees from the sphere). However with the complicated math in that question, the conclusion states there is a 8 cm per kilometer drop, which at 10.000 kilometers equals 80.000 cm, equals
It’s called the “overview effect,” a term coined by science author and philosopher Frank White in 1987. It refers to a shift in perspective that occurs when humans are given the chance to view Earth in the context of its cosmic backdrop — driving home how perfectly suited the planet
Google Earth combines aerial photography, satellite imagery, 3D topography, geographic data, and Street View into a real-world canvas to help you make more informed decisions.
The famous approximation drop = 8 inches per miles squared is derived from the following equation by using imperial units: Note: The Advanced Earth Curvature Calculator always uses the exact equations, not the approximations. How much of an object is hidden behind the curvature of the earth,
how much does earth curve per mile
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- Apr 15, 2026
