---
id: pygeodesy
version: "26.7.27"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# pygeodesy — Pure Python geodesy tools

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 453.9K/mo

## What it is and what it does

PyGeodesy is a comprehensive pure Python library for geodetic and geographic calculations. It implements multiple earth models—ellipsoidal (Exact, Karney, Vincenty, Nvector) and spherical (Trigonometry, Nvector)—each providing LatLon and Cartesian coordinate classes with methods to compute distances, bearings, intersections, and geometric properties. The library includes coordinate system converters (UTM, UPS, MGRS, OSGR, ECEF, Web Mercator, Cassini-Soldner), map projections (Albers, Lambert, azimuthal), path simplification algorithms (Ramer-Douglas-Peucker, Visvalingam-Whyatt, Reumann-Witkam), polygon clipping and boolean operations, height interpolation with Geoid models, and distance metrics (Fréchet, Hausdorff). Most functionality requires only Python; optional features depend on geographiclib, numpy, scipy, or external C++ utilities. Code is transcoded from JavaScript originals and C++ classes published under MIT.

Use it for:

- Calculate great-circle distance and bearing between geographic coordinates for navigation or route planning.
- Convert between coordinate systems (lat/lon to UTM, MGRS, ECEF) for GIS applications or mapping workflows.
- Find intersections of geodesic or rhumb lines, or nearest points on paths for spatial analysis.
- Simplify or clip geographic paths and polygons for efficient rendering or data reduction.
- Interpolate terrain height or geoid undulation at arbitrary lat/lon points for elevation models.
- Perform triangulation or trilateration from distance measurements to locate unknown points.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

PyGeodesy provides pure Python implementations of geodetic calculations for ellipsoidal and spherical earth models, including distance, bearing, coordinate conversions, and geometric operations on geographic points.

Yes. PyGeodesy is a mature, actively maintained library (Production/Stable, 331 GitHub stars, recent release) with zero known vulnerabilities, no runtime dependencies, and permissive MIT licensing. It is suitable for any project requiring geodetic calculations, coordinate conversions, or geographic geometry.

## Install

pip install pygeodesy
uv add pygeodesy
poetry add pygeodesy

## Installing pygeodesy

Before you install: Installation is straightforward with no runtime dependencies—the package is a pure Python wheel. Maintenance is active with a recent release and ongoing repository activity.

License in practice: MIT license permits unrestricted use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for both open-source and commercial projects.

Quickstart:

pip install pygeodesy

from pygeodesy.ellipsoidalVincenty import LatLon

point1 = LatLon(50.0, 5.0)
point2 = LatLon(50.0, 3.0)
distance = point1.distanceTo(point2)
bearing = point1.bearingTo(point2)

Some modules require optional dependencies: geographiclib for Karney methods, numpy and scipy for certain Geoid and Height interpolators, and external C++ utilities for specialized features.

Verify before relying:

- Whether all advertised coordinate systems (Cassini-Soldner, UPS, Web Mercator, MGRS, OSGR) are fully functional or partially implemented.
- Performance characteristics for large-scale geographic calculations or path operations on many points.
- Precision guarantees or error bounds for different earth models and calculation methods.

## Package facts

- License: MIT (permissive)
- Python support: unspecified
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 453.9K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

geodetic distance bearing calculations, latitude longitude coordinate conversion, UTM MGRS coordinate systems, geodesy ellipsoid earth models, geographic point geometry operations, great circle rhumb line navigation, ECEF cartesian coordinates, gis-geospatial, coordinate-systems, navigation

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