Antipode guide
How Antipodes Work
Antipodes are simple once you see the coordinate math. Latitude flips sign, longitude moves halfway around Earth, and the result is the exact opposite point.
Latitude flips
If a point is 40 degrees north, its antipode is 40 degrees south. Latitude always changes sign.
Longitude wraps halfway around Earth
Longitude shifts by 180 degrees. Positive longitudes move west by 180; negative longitudes move east by 180.
Distance through Earth
The through-Earth distance between antipodes is roughly Earth's diameter: about 12,742 km.
FAQ
What is the antipode formula?
The formula is antipode latitude equals negative latitude. Antipode longitude equals longitude minus 180 if positive, or plus 180 if negative.
Why does longitude change by 180 degrees?
Longitude wraps because Earth is a sphere. Moving 180 degrees east or west reaches the opposite meridian.
How do antipodes work at the poles?
At the poles, latitude flips from north to south or south to north. Longitude is less meaningful exactly at the pole, but the opposite point is the other pole.