{
  "slug": "density-altitude",
  "title": "Density Altitude Calculator",
  "heading": "Density Altitude Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/density-altitude",
  "summary": "Pressure altitude and density altitude from field conditions.",
  "description": "Hot and high kills climb performance. Enter field elevation, altimeter setting, and temperature to get pressure and density altitude.",
  "formula": "DA ≈ PA + 120 × (OAT − ISA temp).",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=density-altitude",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "elev",
      "label": "Field elevation",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 5000,
      "unit": "ft",
      "min": null,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "altimeter",
      "label": "Altimeter setting",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 29.92,
      "unit": "inHg",
      "min": null,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "tempC",
      "label": "Temperature",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 30,
      "unit": "°C",
      "min": null,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "da",
      "label": "Density altitude (ft)",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "pa",
      "label": "Pressure altitude (ft)",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "isa",
      "label": "ISA temperature (°C)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "delta",
      "label": "ISA deviation (°C)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Field elevation: 5000 ft",
      "Altimeter setting: 29.92 inHg",
      "Temperature: 30 °C"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Density altitude (ft): 8,000",
      "Pressure altitude (ft): 5,000",
      "ISA temperature (°C): 5",
      "ISA deviation (°C): 25"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter field elevation (ft).",
      "Enter altimeter setting (inHg).",
      "Enter temperature (°C).",
      "Read your density altitude (ft) on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "elev": 3000,
        "altimeter": 17.952,
        "tempC": 18
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "elev": 5000,
        "altimeter": 29.92,
        "tempC": 30
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "elev": 8000,
        "altimeter": 47.87200000000001,
        "tempC": 48
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How does the density altitude calculator work?",
      "a": "Hot and high kills climb performance. Enter field elevation, altimeter setting, and temperature to get pressure and density altitude. The underlying maths is: DA ≈ PA + 120 × (OAT − ISA temp)."
    },
    {
      "q": "What do I need to enter?",
      "a": "3 values: field elevation, altimeter setting, and temperature. Each field starts with a sensible default, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result move."
    },
    {
      "q": "What does the density altitude (ft) result mean?",
      "a": "It is returned as a whole number and updates live as you edit the inputs, so you can compare two or three versions of a scenario in a few seconds."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is this calculator free, and do I need an account?",
      "a": "Yes, it's free, and no account is required. Nothing you type is stored on our servers — the maths runs entirely in your browser."
    },
    {
      "q": "How accurate is the result?",
      "a": "It applies the standard formula exactly, so the arithmetic is precise. Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary."
    },
    {
      "q": "Who is this tool for?",
      "a": "It's built for anyone doing everyday planning maths — a quick estimate that would otherwise need four browser tabs and a calculator app."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/aircraft-fuel-burn",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/crosswind-component"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Density Altitude Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/density-altitude)"
}