How to find your elevation on iPhone

The iPhone Compass app shows your elevation at the bottom of the screen. If it is missing, Compass needs permission to use your location.

Updated 2026-10-26 · By Ankit Kumar

Steps

Open the Compass app.
Read your elevation at the bottom of the screen, under the coordinates.

iPhone Compass app showing 210 m elevation at the bottom of the screen — Elevation appears below the heading and coordinates (coordinates blurred).

Compass shows only the spot where you are. For any other place, use elevation by address or elevation from coordinates.

Elevation not showing? Allow location access

Open Settings and tap Compass.

iPhone Settings list with Compass highlighted — Settings → Compass.

Tap Location.
Choose While Using the App, and turn on Precise Location.

Compass settings with the Location option — Compass → Location.

Location access set to While Using the App, with Precise Location on — While Using the App, with Precise Location on.

Open Compass again and the elevation line appears.

Check it against USGS

On iPhone, Safari or Chrome can share your location with our elevation finder, which shows the USGS ground elevation for that point in feet and meters, with an accuracy note. Related tools: air pressure at elevation, boiling point at elevation, your latitude and longitude.

Screenshots taken in 2024; Settings labels can change between iOS versions.

Frequently asked questions

Where is elevation on the iPhone?

In the Compass app. Your elevation appears at the bottom of the screen, under your coordinates, once Compass is allowed to use your location.

Why does my iPhone Compass not show elevation?

Usually because Compass is not allowed to use your location. Go to Settings → Compass → Location and choose "While Using the App", then turn on Precise Location.

Is the iPhone elevation accurate?

Apple does not publish an accuracy figure for it. To compare, open our homepage tool, which looks up the USGS ground elevation for your position and shows its accuracy.