<p>The way I remember is pretty simple. When I think of <strong>LAT</strong>itude I stick my arms out <strong>LAT</strong>erally (metaphorically or literally). When I think of <strong>LON</strong>gitude I imagine stretching out a <strong>LON</strong>g ribbon or something vertically. Also, the "on" sound in longitude stretches your mouth vertically. To be fair you just have to remember one and then you know the other one. Hopefully this helps.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-09T21:03:06.347Z
good to hear it!
Brittan Wogsland
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-09T21:00:11.300Z
2017-02-09T21:05:41.347Z
2017-02-09T21:05:41.347Z
Brittan Wogsland
<p>When you say the first syllable of the word "LAtitude" your mouth widens horizontally.   Latitudinal lines also stretch horizontally across the earth (west to east).  </p>

<p>When you say the first syllable of the word "LOngitude", your mouth stretches open vertically.  Longitudinal lines also stretch vertically across the earth (south to north).  </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ZO6d6.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ZO6d6.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-12T03:30:39.950Z
so turn your head to the side when you do it then
f.thorpe
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-12T15:57:09.703Z
Those images are creeping me out... Thanks man!
Nathan Bird
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-10T06:22:15.067Z
@Epicality Yeah, the ocean looks too big.
Dan Z
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-11T05:37:53.703Z
2017-02-11T05:37:53.703Z
f.thorpe
<p>Considering it's now my profession as a geomatics technician, I don't really need a mnemonic technique to remember which is which, but when I first had to remember the orientation of <strong>latitude</strong> and <strong>longitude</strong>, I simply did this:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Consider the equator as the horizon and switch two letters in <strong>latitude</strong> so it becomes <strong>altitude</strong>. There you go, latitude is the (angular) <em>height</em> above the equator.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-10-25T15:12:07.333Z
Also, if you visualize the classical projected planar map where the north pole is up and the south pole is down, changing the "altitude" would move you in the vertical direction, which is very intuitive I think
robertspierre
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-06T13:16:04.943Z
2019-06-06T13:16:04.943Z
Gabriel
<p>I had the same problem.  What seemed to set them firmly apart was the connection to a <strong>LADDER</strong>.  </p>

<p>Ladder jives with the word latitude.  So the lines of latitude are like climbing the rungs of a ladder.  And the values of latitude are how high up (or down) you are.</p>

<p>Generally I just go with that, it automatically defines the other term... but if you do want to go further with longitude, I agree that using terms with LONG do the job.  To get the longitude, you go <strong>ALONG</strong> the rungs <strong>LONGWAYS</strong>.  The vertical lines are the hashmarks to show how far you've come along.</p>

<p>I'm convinced in my years thinking about this personally and then teaching that a big part of the challenge of any imagery/phrases is the confusion between whether you're talking about the line itself or values.  It surely confused me to no end that values of latitude were north/south, while the lines of latitude were drawn east-west.  I think/hope the ladder/latitude connection is a clear way to help people of all ages overcome the confusion.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-10T03:47:38.873Z
2017-02-10T03:47:38.873Z
JeopardyTempest
<p>One way is to picture a long neck dinosaur. It's a bit of an unconventional connection, but the oddness is what helps me to remember it.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ldgOF.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ldgOF.jpg" alt="Plateosaurus"></a></p>

<p>(The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Plateosaurus." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 25 May 2010. Web.)</p>

<p>Longitude: A <strong>LONG</strong> neck dinosaur has a long neck that extend vertically upwards. The lines of longitude extend vertical on a map of the Earth.</p>

<p>Latitude: The back of a long neck dinosaur is relatively F<strong>LAT</strong>. The lines of latitude lay horizontal or "flat" on a map of the Earth.</p>

<p>TLDR; F<strong>LAT</strong> back, <strong>LONG</strong> neck. I hope this helps.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-11T22:07:58.040Z
+1  I won't be able to remember the difference between lon and lat by this explanation but it really creative :-) .
daniel.heydebreck
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-10T20:22:00.927Z
2017-02-11T06:54:00.737Z
2017-02-11T06:54:00.737Z
Kristina L
<p>I remember <strong>long</strong>itude it by the fact that it runs the <strong>long</strong> way around the earth. In other words all longitudes are diameters. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-12T16:00:10.570Z
This is helpful, but when I'm thinking lat/long I'm thinking about the lines themselves, not the direction they are used....if that make any sense
Nathan Bird
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-06T13:25:12.597Z
Lines of longitude are half-circumferences, not diameters. It's not a bad way to remember, but not technically correct - every line of longitude is ~12,450 miles long, but most lines of latitude are longer than that. The equator, at 0 degrees latitude, runs the full circumference of the earth (24,900 miles). You have to go beyond 60 degrees latitude for the latitude lines to be shorter than longitude lines.
Nuclear Hoagie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-11T04:53:05.663Z
2017-02-11T04:53:05.663Z
MaxW
<p>Easiest method I use is <strong>"Lat(itude) = Fat(itude)"</strong>, imagining left-to-right lines of latitude looking like a fat belly (or belt) protruding over a tight belt. </p>

<p>That does the trick, but as a secondary mnemonic, I then imagine "Long" as a measure of tall/lankiness, as I'd never describe fatness/width as "long".</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-06T03:38:41.223Z
This is interesting because it's one step away from the memory aid I came up with when I was much younger, latitude = *flat*itude
Repeating the rhyme dozens of times along with picturing that concept set it in my head well enough to remember permanently (and if I'm being honest, still pops up in my head after dealing with lat/lon values every day for almost two decades)
dplmmr
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-06T02:58:29.310Z
2019-06-06T02:58:29.310Z
Coldblackice
<p>Because longitudes run north south, I remember longitude with a rhyme of the first two letters of each: NoSoLo (<strong>No</strong>rth <strong>So</strong>uth <strong>Lo</strong>ngitude).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-24T22:59:54.300Z
2020-03-24T23:18:24.963Z
2020-03-24T23:18:24.963Z
Chris Howard
<p>I also mixed <strong>Longitude</strong> and <strong>Latitude</strong> until I heard someone saying '<em>... at high latitudes.</em>' in a conference talk.</p>

<p>In my mind, the picture of the Earth shows the Earth with the North and South poles at the top and bottom (or reversed, doesn't matter). <em>High</em> describes a vertical orientation. Therefore, the <strong>latitude</strong> changes in <strong>North-South</strong> direction.</p>

<p>Additionally, because the horizontal degree scale has a discontinuity at 360 degree (0 degree), it does not make much sense to distinguish <em>high</em> and <em>low</em> values in horizontal direction. Hence, <strong>high</strong> values are in <strong>vertical direction</strong> (<strong>= latitude</strong>).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-10T21:36:59.973Z
Hmm... I like this one a lot! Definitely the most logical answer!
Nathan Bird
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-07-06T19:43:10.737Z
If someone is mixed up about the meanings of latitude and longitude, what prevents them from thinking about a "high longitude"? I don't see how this association helps
yspreen
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-11T19:12:46.027Z
This association helps me because as soon as I read "high latitudes", I immediately thought of "high altitudes". latitude and altitude are pretty close in spelling so that could be your secondary association.
okcoker
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-10T12:20:47.420Z
2017-02-10T13:27:42.927Z
2017-02-10T13:27:42.927Z
daniel.heydebreck
<p>Ever since the 3rd grade, I've been troubled by the inability to remember if Latitude runs East/West or runs North/South. I would always stress out <strong>BIG TIME</strong> during my Geography class.</p>

<p>I'm <strong>much</strong> older now, and I still have trouble telling them apart... </p>

<p>"facepalm"</p>

<p>Are there any good tips or tricks to help me remember which direction each runs?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-09T20:02:54.773Z
Already answered here: http://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/107923/how-do-you-memorize-the-meaning-of-longitude-and-latitude
Isopycnal Oscillation
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-09T21:15:37.603Z
I don't have that one but I have to think for a few seconds to differentiate east and west every time. :)
milancurcic
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-09T21:24:38.187Z
@milancurcic same with me, I wonder why that one is so hard.
Isopycnal Oscillation
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-10T12:40:11.410Z
Read [Longitude](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitude_(book)) by Dava Sobel. It's a great book and it will etch in the terms and the completely different nature of longitude and latitude.
user2821
<geography>
How to easily remember orientation of latitude and longitude?
Nathan Bird
# How to easily remember orientation of latitude and longitude?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-02-09)

Ever since the 3rd grade, I've been troubled by the inability to remember if Latitude runs East/West or runs North/South. I would always stress out **BIG TIME** during my Geography class.

I'm **much** older now, and I still have trouble telling them apart...

"facepalm"

Are there any good tips or tricks to help me remember which direction each runs?

**Tags:** geography

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Already answered here: http://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/107923/how-do-you-memorize-the-meaning-of-longitude-and-latitude  
> **username_2**: I don't have that one but I have to think for a few seconds to differentiate east and west every time. :)  
> **username_1**: @username_2 same with me, I wonder why that one is so hard.  
> **username_3**: Read [Longitude](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitude_(book)) by Dava Sobel. It's a great book and it will etch in the terms and the completely different nature of longitude and latitude.  

---

## 9 answers

### Answer by username_11 on 2017-02-10. Score: 13 | Accepted answer

I also mixed **Longitude** and **Latitude** until I heard someone saying '*... at high latitudes.*' in a conference talk.

In my mind, the picture of the Earth shows the Earth with the North and South poles at the top and bottom (or reversed, doesn't matter). *High* describes a vertical orientation. Therefore, the **latitude** changes in **North-South** direction.

Additionally, because the horizontal degree scale has a discontinuity at 360 degree (0 degree), it does not make much sense to distinguish *high* and *low* values in horizontal direction. Hence, **high** values are in **vertical direction** (**= latitude**).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Hmm... I like this one a lot! Definitely the most logical answer!  
> **username_17**: If someone is mixed up about the meanings of latitude and longitude, what prevents them from thinking about a "high longitude"? I don't see how this association helps  
> **username_18**: This association helps me because as soon as I read "high latitudes", I immediately thought of "high altitudes". latitude and altitude are pretty close in spelling so that could be your secondary association.  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-02-09. Score: 11

The way I remember is pretty simple. When I think of **LAT**itude I stick my arms out **LAT**erally (metaphorically or literally). When I think of **LON**gitude I imagine stretching out a **LON**g ribbon or something vertically. Also, the "on" sound in longitude stretches your mouth vertically. To be fair you just have to remember one and then you know the other one. Hopefully this helps.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: good to hear it!  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2019-06-06. Score: 8

Considering it's now my profession as a geomatics technician, I don't really need a mnemonic technique to remember which is which, but when I first had to remember the orientation of **latitude** and **longitude**, I simply did this:

> Consider the equator as the horizon and switch two letters in **latitude** so it becomes **altitude**. There you go, latitude is the (angular) *height* above the equator.

> **Comments:**
> **username_8**: Also, if you visualize the classical projected planar map where the north pole is up and the south pole is down, changing the "altitude" would move you in the vertical direction, which is very intuitive I think  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-02-11. Score: 7

When you say the first syllable of the word "LAtitude" your mouth widens horizontally. Latitudinal lines also stretch horizontally across the earth (west to east).

When you say the first syllable of the word "LOngitude", your mouth stretches open vertically. Longitudinal lines also stretch vertically across the earth (south to north).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ZO6d6.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/ZO6d6.png)

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: so turn your head to the side when you do it then  
> **username_0**: Those images are creeping me out... Thanks man!  
> **username_6**: @Epicality Yeah, the ocean looks too big.  

---

### Answer by username_9 on 2017-02-10. Score: 5

I had the same problem. What seemed to set them firmly apart was the connection to a **LADDER**.

Ladder jives with the word latitude. So the lines of latitude are like climbing the rungs of a ladder. And the values of latitude are how high up (or down) you are.

Generally I just go with that, it automatically defines the other term... but if you do want to go further with longitude, I agree that using terms with LONG do the job. To get the longitude, you go **ALONG** the rungs **LONGWAYS**. The vertical lines are the hashmarks to show how far you've come along.

I'm convinced in my years thinking about this personally and then teaching that a big part of the challenge of any imagery/phrases is the confusion between whether you're talking about the line itself or values. It surely confused me to no end that values of latitude were north/south, while the lines of latitude were drawn east-west. I think/hope the ladder/latitude connection is a clear way to help people of all ages overcome the confusion.


---

### Answer by username_10 on 2017-02-10. Score: 4

One way is to picture a long neck dinosaur. It's a bit of an unconventional connection, but the oddness is what helps me to remember it.

[![Plateosaurus](https://i.sstatic.net/ldgOF.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ldgOF.jpg)

(The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Plateosaurus." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 25 May 2010. Web.)

Longitude: A **LONG** neck dinosaur has a long neck that extend vertically upwards. The lines of longitude extend vertical on a map of the Earth.

Latitude: The back of a long neck dinosaur is relatively F**LAT**. The lines of latitude lay horizontal or "flat" on a map of the Earth.

TLDR; F**LAT** back, **LONG** neck. I hope this helps.

> **Comments:**
> **username_11**: +1  I won't be able to remember the difference between lon and lat by this explanation but it really creative :-) .  

---

### Answer by username_12 on 2017-02-11. Score: 2

I remember **long**itude it by the fact that it runs the **long** way around the earth. In other words all longitudes are diameters.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: This is helpful, but when I'm thinking lat/long I'm thinking about the lines themselves, not the direction they are used....if that make any sense  
> **username_13**: Lines of longitude are half-circumferences, not diameters. It's not a bad way to remember, but not technically correct - every line of longitude is ~12,450 miles long, but most lines of latitude are longer than that. The equator, at 0 degrees latitude, runs the full circumference of the earth (24,900 miles). You have to go beyond 60 degrees latitude for the latitude lines to be shorter than longitude lines.  

---

### Answer by username_14 on 2019-06-06. Score: 2

Easiest method I use is **"Lat(itude) = Fat(itude)"**, imagining left-to-right lines of latitude looking like a fat belly (or belt) protruding over a tight belt.

That does the trick, but as a secondary mnemonic, I then imagine "Long" as a measure of tall/lankiness, as I'd never describe fatness/width as "long".

> **Comments:**
> **username_15**: This is interesting because it's one step away from the memory aid I came up with when I was much younger, latitude = *flat*itude Repeating the rhyme dozens of times along with picturing that concept set it in my head well enough to remember permanently (and if I'm being honest, still pops up in my head after dealing with lat/lon values every day for almost two decades)  

---

### Answer by username_16 on 2020-03-24. Score: 1

Because longitudes run north south, I remember longitude with a rhyme of the first two letters of each: NoSoLo (**No**rth **So**uth **Lo**ngitude).


---

