Zerdly

Lat/Long/Height to ECEF Converter

Converts geodetic latitude, longitude and height to ECEF geocentric XYZ coordinates on WGS84.

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How to use this calculator

Inputs

Geodetic latitude, longitude and ellipsoidal height → Earth-centred X, Y, Z, with the inverse round trip.

Position

Decimal degrees (−31.95), DMS (31 57 0 S) or DDM (31° 57.0′ S).

Decimal degrees (115.86), DMS (115 51 36 E) or DDM (115° 51.6′ E).

Ellipsoidal height h — not AHD or sea level.

Ellipsoid

A shape only — choosing one does not transform between datums or epochs.

More options

Printed with the result so the numbers never travel without their reference. It is a label only: nothing is transformed.

Enter the values and press Calculate.

Or load an example to see a worked result.

The point in its meridian plane
Not to scale — flattening exaggerated
The point in its meridian planeQuarter of the ellipse in the meridian plane with the polar axis, the equatorial axis, a surface point, its normal and its radius.Equator (p)Polar axis (Z)φθφ (geodetic)Surface: tan θ = (1 − e²) tan φ
The ellipsoid normal (geodetic φ) and the radius to the centre (geocentric θ) are different directions except at the equator and the poles.

Batch from CSV

One row per calculation, with a header row. Values use the units currently selected in the form above. Up to 10,000 rows; nothing is uploaded.

How the method works

A fixed worked example to explain the method — it is not your result.

A local displacement is rotated, then added to the origin
Illustrative method
A local displacement is rotated, then added to the originOblique sketch of the east, north and up axes at the origin with the displacement vector and its three components.E (east)N (north)U (up)OriginENUTarget = origin + R·[E, N, U]
East, north and up axes at the origin; the local displacement is rotated into ECEF and added to the origin.

Before you rely on this: First-pass guide only. Verify safety-critical or regulated work against the relevant standards, your project requirements and a qualified professional.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the geodetic latitude and longitude (decimal degrees, DMS or DDM).
  2. Enter the ellipsoidal height h in metres — the GNSS height above the ellipsoid, not an AHD or sea-level height.
  3. Choose the ellipsoid. For Custom, also enter the semi-major axis a and the inverse flattening 1/f.
  4. Press Calculate and read X, Y and Z. The inverse round-trip residual shows the conversion reverses cleanly.

How it works

e² = f(2 − f) and N = a / √(1 − e² sin²φ), the radius of curvature in the prime vertical.

X = (N + h) cos φ cos λ, Y = (N + h) cos φ sin λ, Z = (N(1 − e²) + h) sin φ.

X points from the Earth's centre through 0° latitude, 0° longitude; Y through 0°, 90°E; Z through the north pole.

The same kernel drives the ECEF-to-geodetic, ENU and AER converters, so all four agree with each other to the last digit.

Worked example

Perth: −31.95°, 115.86°, h = 50 m on WGS84. N = 6,384,123.742 m, so X = −2,362,768.761 m, Y = 4,874,588.155 m, Z = −3,355,754.763 m. Converting that XYZ back returns the same latitude, longitude and height.

Common mistakes

  • Entering an AHD or mean-sea-level height. Convert it to an ellipsoidal height first (add the geoid separation N).
  • Treating the ellipsoid choice as a datum transformation. Switching WGS84 to GRS80 changes the shape only; it does not move coordinates between GDA2020, ITRF or WGS84 realisations or epochs.
  • Swapping latitude and longitude — the result is still a valid point, just on the other side of the planet.

Frequently asked questions

What is ECEF used for?

Satellite positioning (GNSS), coordinate transformations and 3D vector maths use ECEF Cartesian coordinates.

How different are WGS84 and GRS80?

They share a = 6,378,137 m and differ only in flattening; the largest effect is about 0.1 mm at the poles.

Related tools

Explore more in Surveying, Coordinates, GIS & CAD.

Cite this tool

Zerdly. (2026). Lat/Long/Height to ECEF Converter. Retrieved from https://www.zerdly.com/tools/lat-long-height-to-ecef-converter/

Tip: Enter any known values to calculate the remaining results.

Designed to run locally in your browser. Tool inputs are not intentionally stored by Zerdly unless stated otherwise.