What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
altitude
Example
The airplane reached an altitude of 30,000 feet. [altitude: noun]
Example
The pilot adjusted the altitude to avoid turbulence. [altitude: noun]
Example
The climbers struggled to reach the altitude of the summit. [altitude: noun]
elevation
Example
The elevation of the city is 500 meters above sea level. [elevation: noun]
Example
The building's elevation was impressive, towering over the surrounding area. [elevation: noun]
Example
The hiker tracked their elevation gain as they climbed the mountain. [elevation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Elevation is more commonly used than altitude in everyday language, as it is more versatile and applicable to a wider range of contexts. However, altitude is more commonly used in aviation and aerospace contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between altitude and elevation?
Both altitude and elevation are formal words, but altitude may be considered slightly more technical and specialized due to its association with aviation and aerospace.
