Density Altitude Calculator
Calculate density altitude from elevation, temperature and altimeter setting — the number that determines aircraft performance.
Why pilots care
An aircraft performs according to air density, not according to the number on the altimeter. Hot air is thin air: at 1,000 ft elevation and 30 °C, density altitude is close to 3,000 ft, so the engine makes less power, the propeller bites less and the wing needs more speed. Takeoff distance can grow by 25% while the runway stays the same length. High, hot and heavy is the classic accident chain.
The formula
Pressure altitude = elevation + (29.92 − altimeter) × 1000; DA = PA + 120 × (OAT − ISA temp)
Every result on this page comes from this formula. Nothing is rounded until the final display, so figures match a spreadsheet to the cent.
How to use the Density Altitude Calculator
- Fill in each field with your own figures — the defaults are only there as an example.
- The result updates as you type, so there is no button to press.
- Check the breakdown under the main result for the supporting numbers.
- Use the copy button to take the result with you, or share the link to reload the same inputs.
Density Altitude Calculator — frequently asked questions
Is this density altitude calculator free to use?
Yes. Every calculator on the site is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser, so your figures never leave your device.
How accurate is the result?
The maths is exact for the formula shown on the page. Accuracy in the real world depends on your inputs and on assumptions the formula cannot see, so treat the output as a well-grounded estimate rather than a quote.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. The page is responsive, weighs a few kilobytes and works offline once loaded, so it behaves the same on a phone as on a desktop.
What people search for
This page answers each of these searches. They are the exact phrases visitors use to find the density altitude calculator.
- density altitude calculator
- high altitude takeoff
- hot and high performance
- pressure altitude
- aviation density altitude
- da calculator
- density altitude
About this calculator
Written and reviewed by The Samsung Calculator editorial team. Every calculator is written against a published formula, reviewed against at least one independent reference implementation, and dated when it changes.
Last reviewed August 23, 2026 · Calculation runs client-side · No data collected · Report an error