Elevation
Johannesburg elevation
Johannesburg, South Africa is 5,797 feet (1,767 meters) above sea level — more than a mile high.
What 5,797 feet means in Johannesburg
Among the 200 cities on this site, Johannesburg is higher than most. At 5,797 ft the air holds noticeably less oxygen per breath than at the coast. Most people adapt within a few days; exercise feels harder at first.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Johannesburg a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 24.16 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg. See today’s live barometric pressure in Johannesburg.
Cooking. Water boils at about 201 °F (94.0 °C) here, so boiled foods cook more slowly and baking recipes often need small high-altitude adjustments. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact elevation where you are standing, use What is my elevation?
Elevation of places near Johannesburg
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town, South Africa | 82 | 25 | 784 mi |
| Nairobi, Kenya | 5,525 | 1,684 | 1818 mi |
| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 7,890 | 2,405 | 2538 mi |
| Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 2,008 | 612 | 3731 mi |
| Cairo, Egypt | 75 | 23 | 3894 mi |
| Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 79 | 24 | 3983 mi |
| Tel Aviv, Israel | 49 | 15 | 4052 mi |
| Bengaluru, India | 3,018 | 920 | 4291 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation of Johannesburg?
Johannesburg, South Africa is about 5,797 feet (1,767 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Johannesburg because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 5,797 ft is about 24.16 inHg (818 hPa), 81% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 81% as much oxygen as at sea level. Live barometric pressure in Johannesburg.
At what temperature does water boil in Johannesburg?
About 201 °F (94.0 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.