A geographic centroid represents the “center of mass” of a collection of locations on the Earth’s surface. By treating each point as having equal weight, the centroid provides a simple summary of where the group of points is most centrally located, which is useful in logistics, regional analysis, and map generalisation.
To compute the centroid, the latitude and longitude of each point are averaged separately. This arithmetic mean assumes a planar approximation, which is adequate for small‑scale analyses or when points are relatively close together. For large‑scale or high‑precision work, more complex spherical calculations may be required.
The resulting centroid can be visualised on a map as a single marker that approximates the geographic centre of the input set. It is often used to place regional headquarters, determine service areas, or as a starting point for further spatial queries.
How do I calculate the geographic centroid?
What is a geographic centroid used for?
Is the arithmetic mean assumption accurate for large areas?
Can I use this calculator for any number of points?
What is the difference between a centroid and a median in geography?
How does this calculator handle time zones when computing centroids?
Are there any limitations to using the geographic centroid for decision-making?
Results are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice.