Estimate tree height from the distance to the trunk, the angle to the top, and your eye height.
| Tree height | – |
Use this calculator to estimate how tall a tree is with a clinometer, inclinometer, or phone app. Stand where you can see the top, measure the horizontal distance to the trunk, sight the angle from horizontal to the treetop, and add your eye height above the ground.
The calculation is: height = distance × tan(angle) + eye height. Distance and eye height can be entered in metres (m) or feet (ft); the result is shown in the same unit. The angle is in degrees from horizontal, not from vertical.
This is a simple similar-triangles method. It assumes level ground between you and the tree. A downhill or uphill base, a leaning stem, or an obstructed top will bias the result. Do not use an angle of 90°, where the tangent is undefined.
Distance to trunk: How far you stand from the trunk, on roughly level ground. Enter the value in m or ft.
Angle to top (°): Angle from horizontal up to the treetop, in degrees.
Eye height: Height of your eye above the ground when you sight. The default 1.7 m is a typical standing eye height.
Tree height: Estimated total height from ground to top.
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