Source: EPSG:4978 — WGS 84
geocentric Cartesian system (Earth-centred Earth-fixed) · Area of use: World
+proj=geocent +datum=WGS84 +units=m +no_defs +type=crsMore about EPSG:4978 →
Convert EPSG:4978 to EPSG:4326
Online coordinate converter from WGS 84 (EPSG:4978) to WGS 84 (EPSG:4326). Enter your source coordinates and get the result instantly. All transformations happen in your browser — no data is sent to any server.
About converting WGS 84 to WGS 84
Converting from WGS 84 geocentric XYZ (EPSG:4978) back to WGS 84 geographic latitude/longitude/height (EPSG:4326) is the inverse of the geodetic-to-cartesian formula. The result is decimal degrees and ellipsoidal height in metres on the WGS 84 ellipsoid.
This is the conversion every GPS receiver performs internally on every position fix before showing the user lat/lon. For surveying-grade work using post-processed GNSS data, the input XYZ is in a specific WGS 84 realisation (e.g. G2139) — the difference matters for sub-decimetre work.
Why people convert EPSG:4978 to EPSG:4326
- Recovering lat/lon from raw GPS XYZ output
- Post-processing GNSS observation files
- Inverse step after a Helmert datum transformation
- Satellite-tracking software output
Convert EPSG:4978 to EPSG:4326 in code
The same transformation with common GIS tools and libraries:
from pyproj import Transformer
transformer = Transformer.from_crs("EPSG:4978", "EPSG:4326", always_xy=True)
x, y = transformer.transform(-73.9857, 40.7484)
print(x, y)Target: EPSG:4326 — WGS 84
geographic system using latitude and longitude on an ellipsoid · Area of use: World (by country)
+proj=longlat +datum=WGS84 +no_defs +type=crsMore about EPSG:4326 →
Frequently asked questions
- What does the height value represent?
- Ellipsoidal height — the distance from the WGS 84 ellipsoid surface, not from sea level. To get orthometric (sea-level) height, subtract the geoid undulation from a model like EGM2008 or EGM2020.
- How accurate is converting WGS 84 to WGS 84?
- Projection-only conversions are accurate to floating-point precision. If a datum shift is involved, browser-based tools use Helmert parameters which are accurate to roughly 1-5 m; for surveying-grade work apply the official grid-shift transformation in a desktop GIS.
- Does my data leave the browser when I use this converter?
- No. All coordinate transformations are computed locally in your browser using proj4js. The coordinates you enter are never transmitted to any server.