https://elevation-api.arcgis.com/arcgis/rest/services/elevation-service/v1/elevation/at-pointReturns the elevation in meters at a given longitude and latitude within the WGS84 coordinate system.
By default the elevation is measured with respect to the Earth's mean sea level. It takes into account the local variations in gravity and provides a consistent vertical reference.
If the relativeTo query parameter is set to ellipsoid, the elevation will be measured with respect to the ellipsoid. This is a mathematical model that approximates the shape of the Earth. It does not consider local variations in gravity and is commonly used in GPS positioning.
Note: You cannot permanently store elevations. Please see the Terms of use.
Query parameters
| Name | Type | Required | Default value | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
lon | number | | The longitude of the specified point. | |
lat | number | | The latitude of the specified point. | |
relativeTo | string | mean | The reference position (datum) from which to measure elevation. | |
token | string | | The authentication token, used to access the elevation service. | |
f | Format | | Optional, case-sensitive parameter to specify the format in which responses are given. Can either be |
relativeTo
The reference position (datum) from which to measure elevation. The valid values are:
- meanSeaLevel: The elevation above or below the WGS84 geoid reference surface, which is approximately the mean sea level. It takes into account the local variations in gravity and provides a consistent vertical reference.
- ellipsoid: Ellipsoidal height is measured with respect to an ellipsoid, which is a mathematical model that approximates the shape of the Earth. It does not consider local variations in gravity and is commonly used in GPS positioning.
- Default
- meanSeaLevel
Enumerated values
token
The authentication token, used to access the elevation service.
The token parameter can be either an API Key or short-lived token.
This parameter is required unless you supply an access token in the request header with one of the following keys using the "Bearer" scheme:
Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_TOKEN>X-Esri-Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_TOKEN>
The provided token must be created from an ArcGIS Location Platform account and have the necessary premium:user:elevation privilege to use the elevation service.
Developer guide: To learn more, go to Security and authentication.
f
Optional, case-sensitive parameter to specify the format in which responses are given. Can either be json or pjson.
Enumerated values
Response status
| Status | Meaning | Description | Schema |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | OK | Response to a request for the elevation at a specified point. | inline |
| 400 | Bad Request | Invalid query parameters / Incorrect portal item type. | Error |
| 401 | Unauthorized | Authentication Error. The API key or token is missing, invalid or expired. | Error |
| 403 | Forbidden | The requested resource cannot be accessed because of incorrect sharing permissions. | Error |
| 5XX | **Server Error** | An error occurred on the server. | Error |
Response details
Status Code 200
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
elevation | ElevationInfo | A structure containing human readable metadata about the specified point. | |
result | Elevation | A structure containing a point including an elevation value (defined as Z). |
Examples
Request
# You can also use wget
curl -X GET https://elevation-api.arcgis.com/arcgis/rest/services/elevation-service/v1/elevation/at-point?lon=-179.99&lat=-85.05 \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_TOKEN>'Response
Esri Campus relative to mean sea level
{
"elevationInfo": {
"relativeTo": "meanSeaLevel"
},
"result": {
"point": {
"spatialReference": {
"wkid": 4326,
"vcsWkid": 105700
},
"x": -117.194769,
"y": 34.057289,
"z": 395.8
}
}
}Mount Everest relative to mean sea level
{
"elevationInfo": {
"relativeTo": "meanSeaLevel"
},
"result": {
"point": {
"spatialReference": {
"wkid": 4326,
"vcsWkid": 105700
},
"x": 86.925278,
"y": 27.988333,
"z": 8743.9
}
}
}Cardiff Castle relative to ellipsoid
{
"elevationInfo": {
"relativeTo": "ellipsoid"
},
"result": {
"point": {
"spatialReference": {
"wkid": 4326,
"vcsWkid": 115700
},
"x": -3.1837516,
"y": 51.4822346,
"z": 58.5
}
}
}Bozeman Montana relative to ellipsoid
{
"elevationInfo": {
"relativeTo": "ellipsoid"
},
"result": {
"point": {
"spatialReference": {
"wkid": 4326,
"vcsWkid": 115700
},
"x": -111.093244,
"y": 45.6830173,
"z": 1462.6
}
}
}