Washington elevation
Washington runs from sea level (Pacific Ocean) to 14,410 ft at Mount Rainier, with an average of about 2,284 ft.
Highest point: Mount Rainier
14,410ft
4,392 m above sea level
Summit (Columbia Crest), Pierce County · · Figure as stated on the park's home page (accessed 2026-10-26).
Source: National Park Service: Mount Rainier National Park (2026-10-26)
- Lowest point: Pacific Ocean
- 0 ft (sea level)
- Source: USGS, Elevations and Distances in the United States (highest and lowest elevations) (revised edition 2001)
- Average elevation (sampled)
- 2,284 ft (696 m)
- Mean of 226 USGS points about 28 km apart; an estimate, not a published figure.
- Source: USGS 3DEP + 2024 Census boundary
- USGS table figure for the high point
- 14,411 ft
- Older survey on the NGVD 29 datum.
- Source: USGS Elevations and Distances (revised 2001)
Data updated · By Ankit Kumar, compiled from public U.S. government and open datasets · How these numbers are made
Washington places on this site
Cities and towns (USGS, downtown)
- Olympia96 ft
Mountains and peaks
- Mount Rainier14,410 ft
- Mount Adams12,281 ft
- Mount Baker10,765 ft
- Mount Hoodoo8,459 ft
- Mount Saint Helens8,306 ft
- Mount Olympus7,928 ft
Washington elevation facts
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Highest point: Mount Rainier | 14,410 ft (4,392 m) | National Park Service: Mount Rainier National Park (2026-10-26) |
| Lowest point: Pacific Ocean | Sea level | USGS, Elevations and Distances in the United States (highest and lowest elevations) (revised edition 2001) |
| Vertical range | 14,410 ft (4,392 m) | Difference of the two figures above |
| Average elevation (sampled) | 2,284 ft (696 m) | USGS 3DEP, 226 grid points |
| USGS 3DEP value at the high point | 14,406 ft (4,391 m) | USGS 3DEP, within 250 m of the GNIS summit |
| Capital: Olympia | 96 ft (29 m) | USGS 3DEP at the city center |
| Land area | 66,455 sq mi (172,119 km²) | Census 2024 boundary file |
Life at 2,284 ft
Standard-atmosphere estimates for the state's sampled average elevation (2,284 ft). Weather moves the real values a little from day to day.
- Oxygen per breath
- 92 % of sea level
- Air is still 20.9% oxygen; there is just less air.
- Home canning
- Above 1,000 ft, USDA processing times and pressure-canner pounds go up.
- Canning adjustments
Sources: pressure from the U.S. Standard Atmosphere, 1976 (NOAA, NASA, USAF); boiling point from the Antoine equation for water (Lange's Handbook of Chemistry); canning thresholds from the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning. Not medical or food-safety advice; follow the tested USDA recipe for your altitude.
City elevations in Washington
- Spokane1,870 ft
- Tacoma250 ft
- Vancouver191 ft
- Seattle173 ft
- Olympia (capital)96 ft
- Bellevue86 ft
Largest places in Washington
The five incorporated places by 2024 Census population estimate.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 173 ft (53 m) · pop. 780,995 | USGS 3DEP; Census 2024 estimate |
| Spokane | 1,870 ft (570 m) · pop. 230,609 | USGS 3DEP; Census 2024 estimate |
| Tacoma | 250 ft (76 m) · pop. 228,202 | USGS 3DEP; Census 2024 estimate |
| Vancouver | 191 ft (58 m) · pop. 198,992 | USGS 3DEP; Census 2024 estimate |
| Bellevue | 86 ft (26 m) · pop. 154,377 | USGS 3DEP; Census 2024 estimate |
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Washington?
Mount Rainier at 14,410 ft (4,392 m), from National Park Service: Mount Rainier National Park (2026-10-26). The USGS Elevations and Distances table (2001) lists 14,411 ft, an older survey on the NGVD 29 datum.
What is the lowest point in Washington?
Pacific Ocean, at sea level, per the USGS Elevations and Distances table (2001).
What is the average elevation of Washington?
About 2,284 ft (696 m): the mean of USGS 3DEP elevations at 226 points on a regular grid about 28 km apart inside the state boundary. It is our estimate, not a published figure.
Which Washington city on this site is highest?
Olympia, at 96 ft downtown (USGS).
Does altitude affect cooking in Washington?
At 2,284 ft, water boils at about 207.8 °F (97.7 °C) and standard air pressure is 27.53 inHg (932 hPa), so each breath holds about 92% of the oxygen it would at sea level. That is for the state's average elevation; check your own town, because Washington spans 14,410 ft from lowest to highest.
Sources
- National Park Service: Mount Rainier National Park (2026-10-26) — highest point
- USGS, Elevations and Distances in the United States (highest and lowest elevations) — lowest point
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service (3DEP) — average elevation, city-center values and the high-point check
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Cartographic Boundary Files (places, states; 1:500,000) — state boundary and land area
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files (places) — city locations
- U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates (cities and towns, July 1, 2024) — largest cities by population
- Wikidata (elevation statements that cite a source; the cited source is listed with each value) — state capital name
- U.S. Standard Atmosphere, 1976 (NOAA/NASA/USAF); water boiling point by the Antoine equation (Lange’s Handbook of Chemistry) — boiling point, air pressure and oxygen
How each number is produced: methodology and data sources.
Every state: US elevation by state · Highest point in each state
Data updated · By Ankit Kumar, compiled from public U.S. government and open datasets · How these numbers are made