CFLib.org – Common Function Library Project

Description:
Calculates the distance between two latitudes and longitudes. Results can be in radians, kilometers, statute miles or nautical miles. Handles the special cases of starting at either pole and checks for valid values.

Return Values:
Returns a number or an error string.

Example:

<cfoutput>
Example:<br>
Suppose point 1 is LAX: (33deg 57min N, 118deg 24min W)<br>
Suppose point 2 is JFK: (40deg 38min N,  73deg 47min W)
<p>

<cfscript>
  Lat1 = 33.95;
  Lon1 = 118.4;
  Lat2 = 40.63333;
  Lon2 = 73.7833;
</cfscript>

Lat1 = #lat1#<br>
Lon1 = #lon1#<br>
Lat2 = #lat2#<br>
Lon2 = #lon2#<br>

Distance = #LatLonDist(lat1,lon1,lat2,lon2,'nm')# nautical miles<br>
Distance = #LatLonDist(lat1,lon1,lat2,lon2,'sm')# statute miles<br>
Distance = #LatLonDist(lat1,lon1,lat2,lon2,'km')# kilometers<br>
Distance = #LatLonDist(lat1,lon1,lat2,lon2,'radians')# radians<br>
</cfoutput>

Parameters:

Full UDF Source:

/**
 * Calculates the distance between two latitudes and longitudes.
 * This funciton uses forumlae from Ed Williams Aviation Foundry website at http://williams.best.vwh.net/avform.htm.
 * 
 * @param lat1      Latitude of the first point in degrees. (Required)
 * @param lon1      Longitude of the first point in degrees. (Required)
 * @param lat2      Latitude of the second point in degrees. (Required)
 * @param lon2      Longitude of the second point in degrees. (Required)
 * @param units      Unit to return distance in. Options are: km (kilometers), sm (statute miles), nm (nautical miles), or radians.  (Required)
 * @return Returns a number or an error string. 
 * @author Tom Nunamaker (tom@toshop.com) 
 * @version 1, May 14, 2002 
 */
function LatLonDist(lat1,lon1,lat2,lon2,units)
{
  // Check to make sure latitutdes and longitudes are valid
  if(lat1 GT 90 OR lat1 LT -90 OR
     lon1 GT 180 OR lon1 LT -180 OR
     lat2 GT 90 OR lat2 LT -90 OR
     lon2 GT 280 OR lon2 LT -280) {
    Return ("Incorrect parameters");
  }

  lat1 = lat1 * pi()/180;
  lon1 = lon1 * pi()/180;
  lat2 = lat2 * pi()/180;
  lon2 = lon2 * pi()/180;
  UnitConverter = 1.150779448;  //standard is statute miles
  if(units eq 'nm') {
    UnitConverter = 1.0;
  }
  
  if(units eq 'km') {
    UnitConverter = 1.852;
  }
  
  distance = 2*asin(sqr((sin((lat1-lat2)/2))^2 + cos(lat1)*cos(lat2)*(sin((lon1-lon2)/2))^2));  //radians
  
  if(units neq 'radians'){
    distance = UnitConverter * 60 * distance * 180/pi();
  }
  
  Return (distance) ;
}