Tide Range Calculator

Enter high and low tide heights to calculate tidal range and classify the tide type.

Tide Heights

m
m

Result

Enter tide heights and click Calculate

Tidal Classification Reference

Class Range (m) Range (ft) Examples
Microtidal < 2 m < 6.6 ft Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Mexico
Mesotidal 2 – 4 m 6.6 – 13.1 ft North Sea, parts of the US East Coast
Macrotidal > 4 m > 13.1 ft Bay of Fundy (16.3 m), Bristol Channel (14 m)

Summary

Enter high and low tide heights to calculate tidal range and classify the tide type.

How it works

  1. Enter the high tide height in the first field.
  2. Enter the low tide height in the second field.
  3. Select the unit (meters or feet).
  4. Click Calculate to see the tidal range.
  5. Read the classification: microtidal, mesotidal, or macrotidal.
  6. Use the chart to compare your result against typical global ranges.

Use cases

  • Coastal engineers assessing tidal energy potential at a site.
  • Sailors and mariners planning passage timing around tidal windows.
  • Geographers classifying coastal environments for research.
  • Students learning about oceanographic tidal zones.
  • Fishers identifying optimal fishing periods tied to tidal cycles.
  • Ecologists studying intertidal habitat extent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-15 · Reviewed by Nham Vu