B. Converting between 3-D Cartesian and ellipsoidal latitude and longitude

Please note this page is no longer updated. For the latest version download the pdf.

PDF showing the equations used to convert between these type of coordinates and a worked example.

Please note: these formulae are used to convert the format of coordinates between 3-D Earth Centred Earth Fixed (ECEF) Cartesian coordinates and latitude, longitude and ellipsoidal height. This is not a transformation.

Ellipsoid and projection constants commonly used in the UK can be found within annexe A.