Elevation vs. Level — What's the Difference?

The vertical distance from sea level to a point on Earth's surface.

A flat or even surface without inclines or declines.

In architecture, the external or internal vertical face of a building.

The degree of intensity, achievement, or competence.

Measurement of height above a predetermined reference point.

To make a surface flat or even.

A drawing representing the vertical arrangement of a structure.

A device or instrument for establishing horizontal planes.

The act of raising something to a higher position.

A specific stage or degree in a hierarchy or process.

The elevation of a geographic location is its height above or below a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface (see Geodetic datum § Vertical datum). The term elevation is mainly used when referring to points on the Earth's surface, while altitude or geopotential height is used for points above the surface, such as an aircraft in flight or a spacecraft in orbit, and depth is used for points below the surface.

A horizontal plane or line with respect to the distance above or below a given point

The act or an instance of elevating

A position on a scale of amount, quantity, extent, or quality

The condition of being elevated

(in a video game) each of a series of stages of increasing difficulty through which a player may progress, completing one stage in order to reach the next

The height to which something is elevated above a point of reference, especially mean sea level

An instrument marked with a line parallel to the plane of the horizon for testing whether things are horizontal.

The angular distance of an object above the observer's horizon.

A flat tract of land

An elevated place or position

Having a flat, horizontal surface

Loftiness or dignity, as of thought or feeling

At the same height as someone or something else

A scale drawing of the side, front, or rear of a structure.

Having the same relative position; not in front of or behind

The ability to achieve height in a jump, as in ballet.

Calm and steady

The degree of height reached when such a jump is executed.

Give a flat and even surface to

The act of raising from a lower place, condition, or quality to a higher; said of material things, persons, the mind, the voice, etc.

Begin to fly horizontally after climbing or diving

The condition of being or feeling elevated; heightened; exaltation.

Make (something, especially a score in sport) equal or similar

That which is raised up or elevated; an elevated place or station.

Aim (a weapon)

The measured vertical distance from the peak of a mountain or hill to its bordering lowlands.

Be frank or honest with (someone)

The angle which the gnomon makes with the substylar line.

Ascertain differences in the height of (land).

The movement of the axis of a piece in a vertical plane; also, the angle of elevation, that is, the angle between the axis of the piece and the line of sight; distinguished from direction.

Relative position or rank on a scale

(architecture) A geometrical projection of a building, or other object, on a plane perpendicular to the horizon; orthographic projection on a vertical plane; called by the ancients the orthography.

A relative degree, as of achievement, intensity, or concentration

The raising of the host—representing Christ’s body—in a mass or Holy Communion service.

A natural or proper position, place, or stage

The act of raising from a lower place, condition, or quality to a higher; - said of material things, persons, the mind, the voice, etc.; as, the elevation of grain; elevation to a throne; elevation of mind, thoughts, or character.

Position along a vertical axis; height or depth

Condition of being elevated; height; exaltation.

A horizontal line or plane at right angles to the plumb.

That which is raised up or elevated; an elevated place or station; as, an elevation of the ground; a hill.

The position or height of such a line or plane.

The distance of a celestial object above the horizon, or the arc of a vertical circle intercepted between it and the horizon; altitude; as, the elevation of the pole, or of a star.

A flat, horizontal surface.

The angle which the style makes with the substylar line.

A land area of uniform elevation.

The movement of the axis of a piece in a vertical plane; also, the angle of elevation, that is, the angle between the axis of the piece and the line o sight; - distinguished from direction.

An instrument for ascertaining whether a surface is horizontal, vertical, or at a 45° angle, consisting essentially of an encased, liquid-filled tube containing an air bubble that moves to a center window when the instrument is set on an even plane. Also called spirit level.

A geometrical projection of a building, or other object, on a plane perpendicular to the horizon; orthographic projection on a vertical plane; - called by the ancients the orthography.

Such a device combined with a telescope and used in surveying.

The event of something being raised upward;

A computation of the difference in elevation between two points by using such a device.

The highest level or degree attainable;

Having a flat, smooth surface

Angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)

Being on a horizontal plane

A raised or elevated geological formation

Being at the same height or position as another; even.

Distance of something above a reference point (such as sea level);

Being at the same degree of rank, standing, or advantage as another; equal.

(ballet) the height of a dancer's leap or jump;

Being or relating to a specified rank or standing. Often used in combination

Drawing of an exterior of a structure

Exhibiting no abrupt variations; steady

The act of increasing the wealth or prestige or power or scope of something;

Rational and balanced; sensible

Filled evenly to the top

To make horizontal, flat, or even

To place on the same rank; equalize.

To tear down (a building, for example); raze.

To knock down, as with a blow; lay low

To aim along a horizontal plane

To direct emphatically or forcefully toward someone

To measure the different elevations of (a tract of land) with a level.

To bring persons or things to an equal level; equalize.

To aim a weapon horizontally.

(Informal) To be frank and open

Along a flat or even line or plane.

The same height at all places; parallel to a flat ground.

At the same height as some reference; constructed as level with.

Unvaried in frequency.

Unvaried in volume.

Calm.

In the same position or rank.

Straightforward; direct; clear.

Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial.

(phonetics) Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection; monotonic.

(physics) Perpendicular to a gravitational force.

A tool for finding whether a surface is level, or for creating a horizontal or vertical line of reference.

A distance relative to a given reference elevation.

Degree or amount.

Achievement or qualification.

(computer science) Distance from the root node of a tree structure.

(video games) One of several discrete segments of a game, generally increasing in difficulty and representing different locations in the game world.

A numeric value that quantifies a character, ability, or item's experience and power.

A floor of a multi-storey building.

(British) An area of almost perfectly flat land.

A school grade or year.

To adjust so as to make as flat or perpendicular to the ground as possible.

To destroy by reducing to ground level; to raze.

To progress to the next level.

To aim or direct (a weapon, a stare, an accusation, etc).

To direct or impose (a penalty, fine, etc) at or upon (someone).

(sports) To make the score of a game equal.

(figurative) To bring to a common level or plane, in respect of rank, condition, character, privilege, etc.

To adjust or adapt to a certain level.

To speak honestly and openly with.

A line or surface to which, at every point, a vertical or plumb line is perpendicular; a line or surface which is everywhere parallel to the surface of still water; - this is the true level, and is a curve or surface in which all points are equally distant from the center of the earth, or rather would be so if the earth were an exact sphere.

A horizontal line or plane; that is, a straight line or a plane which is tangent to a true level at a given point and hence parallel to the horizon at that point; - this is the apparent level at the given point.

An approximately horizontal line or surface at a certain degree of altitude, or distance from the center of the earth; as, to climb from the level of the coast to the level of the plateau and then descend to the level of the valley or of the sea.

Hence, figuratively, a certain position, rank, standard, degree, quality, character, etc., conceived of as in one of several planes of different elevation.

A uniform or average height; a normal plane or altitude; a condition conformable to natural law or which will secure a level surface; as, moving fluids seek a level.

An instrument by which to find a horizontal line, or adjust something with reference to a horizontal line.

A horizontal passage, drift, or adit, in a mine.

Even; flat; having no part higher than another; having, or conforming to, the curvature which belongs to the undisturbed liquid parts of the earth's surface; as, a level field; level ground; the level surface of a pond or lake.

Coinciding or parallel with the plane of the horizon; horizontal; as, the telescope is now level.

Even with anything else; of the same height; on the same line or plane; on the same footing; of equal importance; - followed by with, sometimes by to.

Straightforward; direct; clear; open.

Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial; as, a level head; a level understanding. [Colloq.]

Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection.

To make level; to make horizontal; to bring to the condition of a level line or surface; hence, to make flat or even; as, to level a road, a walk, or a garden.

To bring to a lower level; to overthrow; to topple down; to reduce to a flat surface; to lower.

To bring to a horizontal position, as a gun; hence, to point in taking aim; to aim; to direct.

Figuratively, to bring to a common level or plane, in respect of rank, condition, character, privilege, etc.; as, to level all the ranks and conditions of men.

To adjust or adapt to a certain level; as, to level remarks to the capacity of children.

To be level; to be on a level with, or on an equality with, something; hence, to accord; to agree; to suit.

To aim a gun, spear, etc., horizontally; hence, to aim or point a weapon in direct line with the mark; fig., to direct the eye, mind, or effort, directly to an object; as, he leveled a gun at the bandit and fired.

A position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality;

A relative position or degree of value in a graded group;

A specific identifiable position in a continuum or series or especially in a process;

Height above ground;

Indicator that establishes the horizontal when a bubble is centered in a tube of liquid

A flat surface at right angles to a plumb line;

Structure consisting of a room or set of rooms comprising a single level of a multilevel building;

An abstract place usually conceived as having depth;

Aim at;

Tear down so as to make flat with the ground;

Make level or straight;

Direct into a position for use;

Talk frankly with; lay it on the line;

Become level or even;

Having a horizontal surface in which no part is higher or lower than another;

Not showing abrupt variations;

Being on a precise horizontal plane;

Oriented at right angles to the plumb;

Of the score in a contest;

A spirit level or laser level is used to check the flatness or levelness of surfaces.

Elevation is measured in feet or meters above sea level, often using tools like altimeters or GPS devices.

Elevation influences climate, vegetation, and wildlife habitats, affecting ecological and environmental conditions.

Elevation is the height of a point above sea level or another reference point, indicating vertical distance.

Yes, elevation can significantly affect climate, with higher elevations typically experiencing cooler temperatures.

Level refers to the flatness or evenness of a surface, with no inclines or declines.

Elevation refers to the vertical aspects and facade design, while level pertains to ensuring horizontal surfaces are even.

Accurate elevation measurements are vital for flood risk assessment, building design, and environmental planning.

If a surface is not level, it can lead to structural issues, uneven wear, or aesthetic problems in the construction.

Elevation is crucial for navigation, especially in aviation and hiking, to avoid obstacles and ensure safety.

Yes, for aesthetic reasons and to ensure stability and functionality, furniture should be level.

Ensuring surfaces are level is crucial for structural integrity, aesthetics, and the functionality of buildings and infrastructure.

Yes, level surfaces can have a slight slope for drainage purposes, especially in outdoor settings.

No, other factors like latitude, ocean currents, and local geography also influence climate, not just elevation.

Yes, elevation can change due to natural processes like erosion, sediment deposition, or tectonic activity.