🌍

Antipode Calculator

Find the point on the opposite side of Earth from any location

Select Location

Mount Everest Summit

Highest peak on Earth

27.988°, 86.925°

New York City

The Big Apple

40.713°, -74.006°

London, UK

Prime Meridian passes through Greenwich

51.507°, -0.128°

Sydney, Australia

Harbor City Down Under

-33.869°, 151.209°

Tokyo, Japan

Land of the Rising Sun

35.676°, 139.650°

São Paulo, Brazil

Largest city in South America

-23.550°, -46.633°

Custom Location

Enter your own coordinates

Manual input

Input Coordinates

North: positive (+), South: negative (-)

East: positive (+), West: negative (-)

Current Input Coordinates

Decimal: 40.712800°, -74.006000°
DMS: 40°42'46.1"N, 74°0'21.6"W

Antipode Results

-40.712800°
Antipode Latitude
40°42'46.1"S
105.994000°
Antipode Longitude
105°59'38.4"E
🌊

Antipode Location Type

Likely in ocean (most common)

About 85% of land points have oceanic antipodes

Distance Information

Straight-line distance through Earth: ~12,742 km (Earth's diameter)

Surface distance: ~20,037 km (half of Earth's circumference)

Flight distance: Varies, but requires crossing multiple continents/oceans

📐 Antipode Formula

Latitude Calculation

θₐ = -θ

Simply change the sign

Longitude Calculation

If φ ≤ 0: φₐ = φ + 180°

If φ > 0: φₐ = φ - 180°

Where:

θ = latitude, φ = longitude

ₐ = antipode coordinates

🗺️ Coordinate Systems

📍

Decimal Degrees

Most common format: 40.7128, -74.0060

📐

Degrees, Minutes, Seconds

Traditional format: 40°42'46.1"N, 74°0'21.6"W

🌐

Sign Convention

N/E: positive (+), S/W: negative (-)

🌍 Earth & Antipode Facts

🌊

Ocean Dominance

71% of Earth's surface is water, so most antipodes are in oceans

🏞️

Land Antipodes

Only ~15% of land points have land antipodes

🌡️

Temperature Theorem

At any moment, some antipodal points have the same temperature

🥪

Earth Sandwich

People have made "Earth sandwiches" by placing bread at antipodal points

Understanding Antipodes

What is an Antipode?

An antipode is the point on Earth's surface that is diametrically opposite to a given location. If you could drill a straight tunnel through the center of the Earth, you would emerge at the antipode of your starting point.

Etymology and History

  • 📚Greek Origins: "Anti" (opposite) + "pous" (foot) = opposite feet
  • 🌍Ancient Knowledge: Greeks knew Earth was spherical and calculated its size
  • 🏛️Medieval Myths: People imagined upside-down people with feet for heads
  • 🗺️Terra Australis: Hypothetical southern continent that attracted explorers

Mathematical Calculation

Coordinate System

  • Latitude (θ): -90° (South Pole) to +90° (North Pole)
  • Longitude (φ): -180° (West) to +180° (East)
  • Prime Meridian: 0° longitude passes through Greenwich, London

Formula Application

  • Latitude: Simply negate the original value
  • Longitude: Add or subtract 180° depending on hemisphere
  • Result: Point exactly opposite on Earth's surface

Fun Fact: The British Empire's claim that "the sun never sets" was nearly true because Britain and New Zealand are almost antipodal, ensuring daylight somewhere in the empire at all times.