What does this tool do?
Elevation gain per kilometre is a compact way to compare how hilly two routes are, independent of their total length. The average grade puts the same climbing into percentage terms.
The Formula
Gain per km = elevation gain ÷ distance; grade = gain ÷ distance in metres × 100Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a hilly trail?
Around 40–70 m of gain per kilometre is noticeably hilly; above 100 m/km is very steep. Flat rail trails are often under 15 m/km.
Why is my GPS elevation gain different?
GPS altitude is noisy and smoothing algorithms differ. A barometric altimeter is usually more consistent, but no device is exact.