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Biology

Tree height (clinometer method) calculator

Tree height from the angle to its top and your distance from it.

What this calculator does

Tree height (clinometer method) works out tree height from the angle to its top and your distance from it. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.

The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.

The formula

Formulaheight = tan(β) × distance + eye height

The inputs explained

FieldWhat to enter
Distance from tree (ft)A number, measured in ft. Starts at 100.
Angle to treetop β (°)A number, measured in °. Starts at 35.
Eye height (ft)A number, measured in ft. Starts at 5.5.

Worked examples

Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.

How the answer changes with distance from tree

Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while distance from tree varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.

How the answer changes with distance from tree
Distance from tree (ft)Tree heightRise from eye levelAngle used
5040.5 ft35.0 ft35.0°
7558.0 ft52.5 ft35.0°
10075.5 ft70.0 ft35.0°
150110.5 ft105.0 ft35.0°
200145.5 ft140.0 ft35.0°
300215.6 ft210.1 ft35.0°