Distance calculator guide

How to use the Distance Calculator

The Distance Calculator finds the straight-line distance and midpoint between two coordinate points.

Open the distance calculator

Quick start

  1. Enter x1 and y1 for the first point.
  2. Enter x2 and y2 for the second point.
  3. Add a unit label if the coordinates represent real measurements.
  4. Press Calculate distance.

Distance formula basics

The calculator uses d = sqrt((x2-x1)^2 + (y2-y1)^2). This is the coordinate version of the Pythagorean theorem.

Delta x and delta y show the horizontal and vertical changes before they are squared and combined.

Using midpoint

The midpoint is the point halfway between the two coordinates. It is useful for graphing, geometry, and checking symmetry.

The midpoint formula averages the x-values and averages the y-values.

Distance or slope

Use distance when you need length between points.

Use slope when you need rise over run, steepness, or a line equation.

Examples from the calculator

3-4-5 distance (1, 2) to (4, 6)

5 units

Origin to point (0, 0) to (8, 15)

17 units

Negative coordinates (-3, 4) to (5, -2)

10 units

History, privacy, and copying

Recent answers stay visible in the page while you work. The history is kept only in the current browser tab and is not sent to a server.

Copy answer copies the expression and result so you can paste it into notes, homework, a message, or another document.