How to use the temperature at altitude calculator
Estimate air temperature at a given altitude. Enter ground temperature, altitude gain in the fields above; the temperature at altitude is computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Common searches this calculator answers include “how cold on the mountain”, “lapse rate”, “temperature drop with height”, “calculate temperature at altitude”, “find temperature at altitude”.
Formula
Variables
- T0 — Ground temperature (°C)
- h — Altitude gain (m)
Worked example
With ground temperature = 20 °C, altitude gain = 2000 m, the calculator gives temperature at altitude ≈ 7 °C.
Frequently asked questions
What is the temperature at altitude calculator used for?
Estimate air temperature at a given altitude. It helps with questions such as “how cold on the mountain”, “lapse rate”, “temperature drop with height”.
What is the formula for the temperature at altitude calculation?
Temperature at altitude (°C) = T0-0.0065 × h. Here T0 is ground temperature (°C), h is altitude gain (m).
What inputs do I need for the temperature at altitude calculator?
You need ground temperature in °C, altitude gain in m. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use the temperature at altitude calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the temperature at altitude result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.