Length · Unit Converter

Convert Earth's Equatorial Radius to Meter

Convert earth's equatorial radii to meters instantly. 1 earth's equatorial radius = 6378137 meter — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Meter to Earth's Equatorial Radius converter for the reverse conversion.

Written by Sunith Babu L, Ph.D., Lead Engineer Reviewed by Girish V Kulkarni Ph.D.
Length category 2 min read Published Last reviewed Updated

Units explained

Astronomical

Earth's Equatorial Radius

What is a earth's equatorial radius?

Earth's equatorial radius is the distance from the planet's center to its surface at the equator, defined as exactly 6,378,137 meters by the WGS84 geodetic reference system.

Origin of the earth's equatorial radius

The WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984) defines Earth's reference ellipsoid for use in GPS and global cartography. The 6,378,137 m equatorial value was determined through satellite and ground geodetic measurements consolidated in 1984.

Where it is used

WGS84's equatorial radius is the standard reference for GPS, satellite imagery, geographic information systems, and aviation navigation. It defines the 'a' parameter of Earth's reference ellipsoid in coordinate transformations.

When and where it was developed

WGS84 reference ellipsoid adopted in 1984 by the US Department of Defense; subsequently adopted globally for GPS and civilian geodesy.

Metric / SI

Meter

What is a meter?

The meter is the SI base unit of length. Since 2019, the meter has been defined by fixing the numerical value of the speed of light in vacuum to exactly 299,792,458 meters per second. Every other SI length unit derives from the meter.

Origin of the meter

The meter was originally defined in 1793 by the French Academy of Sciences as one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole along a meridian through Paris. It has been redefined multiple times — by physical prototype, then by atomic transitions, and finally in 2019 by fundamental physical constants.

Where it is used

The meter is the international standard for length in science, engineering, construction, athletics, and everyday measurement in metric countries. It underpins definitions of area (m²), volume (m³), and most derived SI units.

When and where it was developed

Established 1793 in France; ratified internationally via the Metre Convention 1875; redefined in 1960, 1983, and most recently 2019 when the SI redefinition fixed it to the speed of light.

Earth's Equatorial Radius to Meter conversion formula

The relationship between earth's equatorial radii and meters:

1 R⊕,eq = 6378137 m
1 m = 1.567856e-7 R⊕,eq

To convert earth's equatorial radii to meters, multiply the value in earth's equatorial radii by 6378137. To reverse, multiply meters by 1.567856e-7.

How to use this converter

Type a value into the calculator. The result in meters updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Meter to Earth's Equatorial Radius converter for the reverse direction.

Step-by-step: convert earth's equatorial radii to meters

  1. Write down the value in earth's equatorial radii (R⊕,eq).
  2. Multiply that value by the factor 6378137.
  3. The product is the equivalent value in meters (m).
  4. To reverse, multiply the meter value by 1.567856e-7.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Convert 1 R⊕,eq to m:
1 × 6378137 = 6378137 m

Example 2 — Convert 100 R⊕,eq to m:
100 × 6378137 = 6.378137e+8 m

Earth's Equatorial Radius to Meter conversion table

Standard reference values for converting earth's equatorial radii to meters:

Earth's Equatorial Radius [R⊕,eq]Meter [m]
0.0163781.37
0.1637813.7000000001
16378137
21.275627e+7
31.913441e+7
42.551255e+7
53.189068e+7
106.378137e+7
201.275627e+8
301.913441e+8
402.551255e+8
503.189068e+8
1006.378137e+8
5003.189068e+9
10006.378137e+9

Frequently asked questions

How many meters is 1 earth's equatorial radius?
1 earth's equatorial radius equals 6378137 meter.
How do I convert earth's equatorial radii to meters?
Multiply the value in earth's equatorial radii by 6378137 to get meters.
How do I convert meters back to earth's equatorial radii?
Multiply the value in meters by 1.567856e-7, or use the Meter to Earth's Equatorial Radius converter.
How many meters is 100 earth's equatorial radii?
100 earth's equatorial radii equals 6.378137e+8 meters, because 100 × 6378137 = 6.378137e+8.

Convert Earth's Equatorial Radius to other length units

Show all Earth's Equatorial Radius conversions

Sources & references

Conversion factor (1 R⊕,eq = 6378137 m) verified against the following authoritative sources:

Results are provided for general reference. Verify critical measurements against an authoritative standard.