Bearing & Azimuth Calculator
Calculate the initial and final bearing (azimuth) between two points on Earth. Spherical great-circle formula, with a map showing the path. Free, runs in your browser.
Two coordinates
How to read a bearing
A bearing of 0° means due north, 90° due east, 180° due south, and 270° due west. To follow a great-circle route from one point to another, you start out on the initial bearing and continuously adjust your heading as the meridians converge, ending on the final bearing when you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between bearing and azimuth?
They are essentially the same thing — the direction from one point to another measured in degrees from north, clockwise. "Azimuth" is the term more commonly used in astronomy and surveying; "bearing" is used in navigation. Both range from 0° (north) through 90° (east), 180° (south), 270° (west), and back to 360°=0°.
How is bearing calculated on a sphere?
The tool uses the forward azimuth formula from spherical trigonometry: θ = atan2(sin Δlng · cos lat2, cos lat1 · sin lat2 − sin lat1 · cos lat2 · cos Δlng). It is accurate for any two points on Earth; for sub-millimetre work you would use an ellipsoidal formula (Vincenty/Karney), but the difference is negligible for almost all practical uses.
Why is my initial bearing different from my final bearing?
Because meridians converge toward the poles, a great-circle path is not a straight line on most maps. The bearing at the start (initial) differs from the bearing when you arrive (final) — except along the equator or due north/south. This tool shows both.
Does this work for points on opposite sides of the Earth?
Yes. For antipodal points the bearing is technically undefined (any direction gets you there along a great circle), but the formula returns a sensible value and the tool will note when points are nearly antipodal.