Distance Formula Calculator
Enter two points below to instantly find the distance between them.
Distance
5
The Distance Formula
d = √((x₂ − x₁)² + (y₂ − y₁)²)
Worked example
Points (1, 2) and (4, 6).
d = √((4 − 1)² + (6 − 2)²) = √(9 + 16) = √25
Distance = 5
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance formula?
The distance between two points (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂) is √((x₂ − x₁)² + (y₂ − y₁)²).
Where does the distance formula come from?
It's the Pythagorean theorem applied to coordinates — the horizontal and vertical gaps between the points form the two legs of a right triangle, and the distance is the hypotenuse.
Does the distance formula work in 3D?
This version is for 2D points. In 3D, you add a third term for the z-coordinates: √((x₂−x₁)² + (y₂−y₁)² + (z₂−z₁)²).
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