Elevation
Leh elevation and altitude
Leh, India is 11,490 feet (3,502 meters) above sea level — more than a mile high. Elevation and altitude mean the same thing here: the height of the city above the sea.
What 11,490 feet means in Leh
Among the 689 cities on this site, Leh is one of the highest. At 11,490 ft the air is thin enough that most visitors notice it: stairs and hills feel harder for the first few days.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Leh a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 19.42 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg.
Cooking. Water boils at about 191 °F (88.1 °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 height where you are standing, use What is my elevation? or What is my altitude?
Elevation of places near Leh
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimla, India | 6,801 | 2,073 | 213 mi |
| Lahore, Pakistan | 709 | 216 | 260 mi |
| Islamabad, Pakistan | 1,900 | 579 | 262 mi |
| Delhi, India | 745 | 227 | 382 mi |
| Kathmandu, Nepal | 4,321 | 1,317 | 640 mi |
| Shigatse, China | 12,621 | 3,847 | 745 mi |
| Darjeeling, India | 6,978 | 2,127 | 803 mi |
| Lhasa, China | 11,978 | 3,651 | 851 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation or altitude of Leh?
Leh, India is about 11,490 feet (3,502 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 Leh because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 11,490 ft is about 19.42 inHg (657 hPa), 65% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 65% as much oxygen as at sea level.
At what temperature does water boil in Leh?
About 191 °F (88.1 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.