Latitude vs Longitude: What’s the Difference?
The difference at a glance
Latitude measures distance north or south of the equator. Longitude measures position east or west of the prime meridian.
Example sentences are illustrative learning examples, not verified quotations.
What does Latitude mean?
noun · /ˈlæt.ɪ.tjuːd/
The angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator, expressed in degrees. Also: the freedom to behave in a way that is not too strictly controlled; scope for independent action or thought.
Explore LatitudeLatitude in a sentence
She was given unusual latitude in the role — more than anyone before her had been allowed.
At 60 degrees north latitude, the summer nights barely darkened.
What does Longitude mean?
noun · /ˈlɒŋ.ɡɪ.tjuːd/
The angular distance of a place east or west of the Greenwich meridian, expressed in degrees. Together with latitude, longitude provides a complete geographic location anywhere on earth. Longitude was the great unsolved problem of navigation for centuries.
Explore LongitudeLongitude in a sentence
The ship was lost for three weeks before a reliable reading of longitude confirmed their position.
At zero degrees longitude, you are standing on the prime meridian in Greenwich.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Latitude and Longitude?
Latitude measures distance north or south of the equator. Longitude measures position east or west of the prime meridian.
What does Latitude mean?
The angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator, expressed in degrees. Also: the freedom to behave in a way that is not too strictly controlled; scope for independent action or thought.
What does Longitude mean?
The angular distance of a place east or west of the Greenwich meridian, expressed in degrees. Together with latitude, longitude provides a complete geographic location anywhere on earth. Longitude was the great unsolved problem of navigation for centuries.