# Great-circle distance

> Shortest distance between two points across the surface of a sphere.

**URL:** https://quilometragem.com/glossary/great-circle-distance

**Summary:** Shortest distance between two points across the surface of a sphere.

- Great-circle distance is the shortest distance between two points across Earth's surface.
- Always less than real driving distance (which follows roads and curves).
- Useful as a sanity check: if a routed distance comes back shorter than the great circle, something is wrong.
- Aircraft approximate great-circle paths on long flights.

Great-circle distance is the shortest distance between two points across Earth's surface. Always less than real driving distance (which follows roads and curves). Useful as a sanity check: if a routed distance comes back shorter than the great circle, something is wrong. Aircraft approximate great-circle paths on long flights.