Cloud Base Height Calculator
Fill in the values and the answer updates as you type.
How the Cloud Base Height Calculator works
Rising air cools about 9.8 °C per 1,000 m while the dew point falls about 1.8 °C, so the gap closes by about 8 °C per km. This gives the cloud base ≈ 125 m for each °C of difference between temperature and dew point, or about 400 ft per °C. The formula suits convective cloud such as cumulus on a sunny day. For flight planning use the reported ceiling in METAR and TAF reports. Example: with Surface temperature 30 °C, Dew point 22 °C, and Station elevation 0 ft, the result is Cloud base above ground (ft) = 3,281; Cloud base above ground (m) = 1,000; Cloud base above sea level (ft) = 3,281.
Inputs and results
The Cloud Base Height Calculator takes 3 inputs and gives 4 results.
What you enter
- Surface temperature (°C) — starts at 30.
- Dew point (°C) — starts at 22.
- Station elevation (ft) — starts at 0.
What you get
- Cloud base above ground (ft)
- Cloud base above ground (m)
- Cloud base above sea level (ft)
- Moisture hint
Example: Cloud Base Height Calculator with the starting values
With surface temperature 30 °C, dew point 22 °C and station elevation 0 ft, the calculator returns:
| Cloud base above ground (ft) | 3,281 |
|---|---|
| Cloud base above ground (m) | 1,000 |
| Cloud base above sea level (ft) | 3,281 |
| Moisture hint | Drier air: a higher cloud base |
Change any value above and the results update straight away.
Cloud Base Height Calculator FAQ
How do I use the Cloud Base Height Calculator?
Enter surface temperature, dew point and station elevation in the fields, then read cloud base above ground (ft), cloud base above ground (m), cloud base above sea level (ft) and moisture hint in the result panel. The answer updates as you type, and you can press Calculate or Enter to refresh it. Use “Copy link” to share your exact numbers with someone else.
What does the Cloud Base Height Calculator calculate?
Estimate the cloud base from temperature and dew point. It returns cloud base above ground (ft), cloud base above ground (m), cloud base above sea level (ft) and moisture hint from the 3 values you provide.
What values does the Cloud Base Height Calculator start with?
It opens with surface temperature 30 °C, dew point 22 °C and station elevation 0 ft so you can see a working result straight away. Replace them with your own numbers, or press Reset to return to these starting values.
Is the Cloud Base Height Calculator free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no account, and runs in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to or stored on our servers. See the Privacy Policy for details.
Can I rely on the Cloud Base Height Calculator for important decisions?
Treat the result as a well-rounded estimate. Real situations often have details a general calculator cannot know, so confirm important decisions with a qualified professional. See the Disclaimer for more.