Elevation API
Point lookups and path elevation profiles for any location on Earth
How it works
1
Send a coordinate
Pass a lat/lng pair or an array for path profiles.
2
Plaza looks it up
Global DEM coverage with fast point and path queries.
3
Get elevation
Meters above sea level, plus ascent/descent for profiles.
See it in action
An example request and its response, drawn on the map.
$
Who uses this
Teams building with Elevation API.
Fitness apps
Show elevation gain for running and cycling routes.
Aviation
Terrain clearance checks for drone flight planning.
Construction
Grade assessment and earthwork volume estimation.
30 m
Copernicus DEM
2
Endpoints
50
Points per request
Start building
curl -X POST "https://plaza.fyi/api/v1/elevation" \
-H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"geometry": {
"coordinates": [
8.228,
46.818
],
"type": "Point"
}
}'
View endpoints
| Method | Path | Description |
|---|---|---|
| POST | /api/v1/elevation | Elevation for a single coordinate |
| POST | /api/v1/elevation/profile | Elevation profile along a path with ascent/descent |
How it compares
Google: $5/1K requests
Plaza: from $1.50/1K
Mapbox: Tilequery workaround only
Plaza: Dedicated elevation endpoint with profiles
Open-Elevation: self-host, limited coverage
Plaza: Managed, Copernicus DEM data
Common questions
How accurate is Plaza's elevation data?
Accuracy varies by terrain and region. Flat areas are typically accurate within a few meters. Mountainous terrain has wider margins due to DEM resolution limitations.