Density altitude chart by elevation and temperature
Each row is a field elevation and each column a temperature, all at a standard 29.92 inHg altimeter setting and dry air. Read across to see how fast a warm afternoon lifts density altitude above the field. For your own field and today's weather, use the calculator.
Not for flight planning. Use your aircraft's POH or flight manual and an official weather briefing.
Open these numbers in the calculator and change them to match your own conditions.
| Elevation | 40 F (4 C) | 60 F (16 C) | 80 F (27 C) | 100 F (38 C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 ft | -1,262 ft | 84 ft | 1,368 ft | 2,594 ft |
| 1,000 ft | -17 ft | 1,317 ft | 2,590 ft | 3,806 ft |
| 2,000 ft | 1,226 ft | 2,549 ft | 3,811 ft | 5,016 ft |
| 3,000 ft | 2,466 ft | 3,778 ft | 5,029 ft | 6,224 ft |
| 4,000 ft | 3,705 ft | 5,006 ft | 6,246 ft | 7,430 ft |
| 5,000 ft | 4,942 ft | 6,231 ft | 7,460 ft | 8,635 ft |
| 6,000 ft | 6,177 ft | 7,454 ft | 8,673 ft | 9,837 ft |
| 7,000 ft | 7,409 ft | 8,676 ft | 9,883 ft | 11,037 ft |
| 8,000 ft | 8,640 ft | 9,895 ft | 11,092 ft | 12,235 ft |
A lower altimeter setting raises every figure too, by roughly 1,000 ft for each inHg below 29.92 (about 900 ft at 5,000 ft by the full formula).
How these figures are worked out
Each figure uses the National Weather Service method: station pressure from the altimeter setting and elevation, vapour pressure from the dew point, then virtual temperature and density altitude. The calculator runs the same code. Figures are rounded to the nearest foot and are estimates.