Distance by Vertical Sextant Angle

Distance off a landmark of known height using the sextant vertical angle. Classical pilotage method.

NavigationPilotage

Loading calculator…

This calculator requires JavaScript to compute its result. The formula, symbols, and regulatory sources are shown in the Formula section below.

Formula, assumptions, and limits

d = \frac{h}{\tan(\theta)}

Symbol	Meaning	Unit
$h$	Landmark height above sea level	m
$θ$	Vertical sextant angle	°
$d$	Distance off	m (or nm)

Source: Admiralty Manual of Navigation BR45

Distance off a landmark of known height using the sextant vertical angle.