Temperature at Altitude Calculator

Air temperature falls steadily with height in the troposphere.

How the Math Works

The Temperature at Altitude Calculator uses the standard atmospheric lapse rate formula: T = T₀ − 6.5·(h÷1000). In this equation, T₀ represents the temperature at sea level (in degrees Celsius), h is the altitude above sea level (in meters), and the coefficient 6.5θC/km is the average rate at which temperature decreases with altitude in Earth's lower atmosphere. The formula subtracts the temperature drop (calculated by multiplying the lapse rate by altitude in kilometers) from the base temperature to determine the air temperature at the specified height.

Practical Applications

To use this calculator practically, first determine your reference temperature T₀, typically the temperature at sea level for your region or a standard value of 15°C. Next, measure or obtain the altitude h in meters. Divide the altitude by 1000 to convert to kilometers, then multiply by 6.5 to find the temperature decrease. Subtract this value from your base temperature to get the temperature at altitude. This is useful for aviation calculations, hiking preparations, weather forecasting, and any scenario where understanding temperature variation with elevation is critical.

Day-to-Day Use

This calculator helps in everyday situations like planning outdoor activities at different elevations, such as hiking, skiing, or camping trips in mountainous areas. Knowing how much cooler it gets at altitude helps you pack appropriate clothing and equipment. It's also valuable for understanding why weather conditions change with elevation—like why mountain peaks can be significantly colder than valleys—and for practical tasks like determining when to expect frost lines or planning garden planting at different elevations in your region.

Worked example

15 °C at ground → about −4.5 °C at 3000 m.

FAQ