Cloud Height Converter
Convert between feet, meters, and flight levels for cloud ceiling heights used in aviation and meteorology.
Type in any field — the others update instantly.
Middle clouds: 6,500-20,000 ft (2,000-6,000 m)
High clouds: 20,000-40,000 ft (6,000-12,000 m)
Understanding Cloud Height Measurements
Cloud heights are measured differently depending on the context. In aviation, cloud ceilings are reported in feet above ground level (AGL) in most countries, while some European nations and scientific communities use meters. Flight levels, used above a certain altitude called the transition altitude, are expressed in hundreds of feet based on a standard pressure setting of 1013.25 hPa (29.92 inHg). Understanding these conversions is essential for pilots, air traffic controllers, and meteorologists.
Conversion Formulas:
- Feet to meters:
meters = feet × 0.3048 - Meters to feet:
feet = meters / 0.3048 - Feet to flight level:
FL = feet / 100(rounded to nearest whole number) - Flight level to feet:
feet = FL × 100
Cloud Type Reference by Altitude:
| Cloud Type | Altitude Range (ft) | Altitude Range (m) | Flight Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low clouds (stratus, cumulus) | Surface to 6,500 ft | Surface to 2,000 m | Below FL065 |
| Middle clouds (altostratus, altocumulus) | 6,500-20,000 ft | 2,000-6,000 m | FL065-FL200 |
| High clouds (cirrus, cirrostratus) | 20,000-40,000 ft | 6,000-12,000 m | FL200-FL400 |
| Cumulonimbus (thunderstorms) | Surface to 60,000+ ft | Surface to 18,000+ m | Surface to FL600+ |
METAR Cloud Ceiling Codes:
In aviation weather reports (METARs), cloud heights are encoded in hundreds of feet AGL:
- FEW025 = few clouds at 2,500 ft (762 m)
- SCT050 = scattered clouds at 5,000 ft (1,524 m)
- BKN100 = broken clouds at 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
- OVC015 = overcast at 1,500 ft (457 m)
Transition Altitude:
Below the transition altitude, altimeters are set to local atmospheric pressure (QNH) and heights are in feet AGL or above mean sea level (AMSL). Above the transition altitude, altimeters are set to standard pressure (1013.25 hPa) and flight levels are used. The transition altitude varies by country:
- United States: 18,000 ft (FL180)
- United Kingdom: 3,000-6,000 ft (varies by area)
- Many European countries: varies between 3,000-10,000 ft
Practical Examples:
- A METAR reports ceiling at 3,000 ft (914 m). This is below FL030 and indicates low cloud cover that could affect small aircraft approaches.
- Cruising altitude of FL350 means 35,000 feet (10,668 m) on a standard pressure altimeter. Commercial jets typically cruise between FL300-FL400.
- A pilot flying at 5,000 ft needs to know that the cloud base at 6,500 ft gives 1,500 ft of clearance. VFR regulations typically require 500-1,000 ft minimum clearance from clouds.
Tips:
- In METARs, always multiply the reported number by 100 to get feet. BKN045 means 4,500 feet, not 45 feet.
- Cloud heights in METARs are AGL (above ground level), while flight levels are based on standard pressure.
- Visibility and cloud base height together determine whether VFR (visual) or IFR (instrument) flight rules apply.