3D Distance Calculator

How to calculate 3D distance?

The distance between two points in a 3D coordinate system is the length of the shortest line segment connecting them.

Formula: d = √((x₂ - x₁)² + (y₂ - y₁)² + (z₂ - z₁)²)

Using the 3D Distance calculator: an example

Consider Point A (1, 2, 3) and Point B (4, 6, 3).

Step-by-step calculation:

• Calculate differences: (4 - 1 = 3), (6 - 2 = 4), (3 - 3 = 0)
• Square the differences: 3² = 9, 4² = 16, 0² = 0
• Sum the squares: 9 + 16 + 0 = 25
• Take the square root: √25 = 5 units.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the distance be negative?

No, distance is a scalar quantity representing magnitude and is always zero or positive.

What is this formula called?

This is the Euclidean distance formula, derived from the Pythagorean theorem extended into three dimensions.

What happens if Z is zero for both points?

The calculation effectively becomes a 2D distance formula on the XY plane.