City Elevation & Altitude Finder
Search any city for its altitude above sea level, or click anywhere on the map to get the elevation of that exact point — essential knowledge for high-altitude travellers.
Altitude (or elevation) is the height of a location above sea level, measured in metres or feet.
It directly affects climate, weather, air pressure, and — importantly for travellers — how your body feels.
High-altitude destinations like Cusco, Lhasa, La Paz and Quito require special preparation. Use our tools below to check any city or any point on the map.
10,000+ citiesMetres & feetInteractive map
Altitude zonesHealth tipsFree tool
3,640 m / 11,942 ftLa Paz, Bolivia — world's highest capital
2,850 m / 9,350 ftQuito, Ecuador
3,400 m / 11,155 ftCusco, Peru
3,650 m / 11,975 ftLhasa, Tibet
1,609 m / 5,280 ftDenver, USA — "Mile High City"
1,795 m / 5,889 ftNairobi, Kenya
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Tip: Click the quick-reference tiles above to instantly load famous high-altitude cities into the search. Press Enter after typing a city name to search quickly.
Altitude zones for travellers
| Zone | Elevation | Air oxygen | How you may feel | Traveller examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea level | 0 – 500 m / 0 – 1,640 ft | ~21% | Normal — no altitude effect | London, Bangkok, Sydney, Dubai |
| Low altitude | 500 – 1,500 m / 1,640 – 4,921 ft | ~19% | Minimal effect for most people; slight breathlessness for some | Madrid, Addis Ababa, Bogotá outskirts |
| Moderate altitude | 1,500 – 2,500 m / 4,921 – 8,202 ft | ~17% | Noticeable breathlessness on exertion; possible mild headache first day | Nairobi, Denver, Mexico City, Johannesburg |
| High altitude | 2,500 – 3,500 m / 8,202 – 11,483 ft | ~15% | Altitude sickness (AMS) possible; rest essential first 24–48 h | Cusco, Quito, Addis Ababa highlands |
| Very high altitude | 3,500 – 5,500 m / 11,483 – 18,045 ft | ~12% | AMS likely without acclimatisation; severe AMS and HAPE risk | La Paz, Lhasa, Machu Picchu trail |
| Extreme altitude | Above 5,500 m / 18,045 ft | <11% | Extreme AMS / HACE / HAPE without supplemental oxygen; only mountaineers venture here | Everest Base Camp 5,364 m; summit 8,849 m |
Altitude sickness — what every traveller needs to know
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. The only true prevention is gradual acclimatisation. Flying directly from sea level to Cusco (3,400 m) or La Paz (3,640 m) puts every traveller at risk.
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AMS symptoms
Headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, poor sleep. Usually begins 6–12 hours after arrival and peaks at 24–48 hours. Mild AMS resolves with rest and no further ascent.
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HAPE — High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema
Fluid accumulation in the lungs. Signs: breathlessness at rest, dry cough, blue lips. This is a medical emergency — descend immediately and seek help.
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HACE — High-Altitude Cerebral Edema
Fluid on the brain. Signs: confusion, loss of coordination, altered consciousness. Another medical emergency — descend immediately and administer Dexamethasone if available.
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Acclimatisation rule
"Climb high, sleep low." Above 3,000 m, don't increase sleeping altitude by more than 300–500 m per day. Include a rest day every 3–4 days. Your body needs 2–3 days at each altitude to adapt.
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Medication
Acetazolamide (Diamox) is the standard preventive medication. Consult your doctor before travel to high-altitude destinations. Start 1–2 days before ascent. Always obtain a prescription.
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Hydration & lifestyle
Drink 3–4 litres of water daily at altitude. Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours — it worsens dehydration and disrupts sleep. Eat carbohydrate-rich foods; reduce fat and protein initially.
High-risk travellers: People with pre-existing heart or lung conditions, anaemia, or sleep apnoea are at significantly higher risk of altitude complications. Consult a travel medicine doctor before visiting any destination above 2,500 m.
Famous high-altitude cities
🇧🇴 La Paz, Bolivia
3,640 m
11,942 ft · World's highest seat of government
Very high
🇨🇳 Lhasa, Tibet
3,650 m
11,975 ft · Roof of the World
Very high
🇪🇨 Quito, Ecuador
2,850 m
9,350 ft · Highest UNESCO World Heritage capital
High
🇵🇪 Cusco, Peru
3,400 m
11,155 ft · Gateway to Machu Picchu
High
🇪🇹 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2,355 m
7,726 ft · 3rd highest capital in the world
Moderate–High
🇺🇸 Denver, USA
1,609 m
5,280 ft · The "Mile High City"
Moderate
How does altitude affect the body?
At higher altitudes, atmospheric pressure decreases and the air becomes thinner — meaning each breath delivers less oxygen to your bloodstream. The body responds by breathing faster and deeper, producing more red blood cells over time, and increasing heart rate. Full acclimatisation to altitudes above 3,000 m takes 1–3 weeks. Flying directly to high-altitude destinations compresses this process and can trigger acute mountain sickness (AMS) within hours of arrival.
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