Angle of Depression Calculator
Find the angle of depression from the vertical drop and the horizontal distance.
Change the values and press Calculate to work out your own figures.
Enter the vertical drop and the horizontal distance (in the same unit).
Show the working
- θ = arctan(drop ÷ horizontal distance) = arctan(50 ÷ 200)
How to use it
Enter the vertical drop and the horizontal distance (in the same unit).
Enter the values you know (decimals, fractions, surds such as 2√5, or angles such as π/3 in radians). Show the working gives the rule used at each step.
Key facts
θ = arctan(drop ÷ horizontal distance)
Same angle as elevation
From a cliff looking down at a boat, the angle of depression equals the boat's angle of elevation looking up.
Questions
What is the angle for a 50 m drop over 200 m?
≈ 14.03624347°.
In radians?
≈ 0.2449786631.
Formulas
θ = arctan(drop ÷ horizontal distance)
Sources
Limitations
- Angles can be typed in degrees or radians; radians may be written with π (π/3, 2pi/3).