How High Do You Need to Be to See Earth's Curvature?

Seeing the Curvature (The "Bow" Effect)

Altitude: Approximately 50,000 - 60,000 feet (10-11 miles / 16-18 km)

At this height, typical for high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft like the U-2 or ER-2, the curvature becomes clearly visible. It doesn't look like a full circle yet, but more like a pronounced arc or a bow.

You need to have a wide, unobstructed view (like from a cockpit canopy) to perceive the curve. The human brain can be tricked by camera lenses, but the visual effect is genuine at this altitude.

Seeing a Significant Arc of the Planet

Altitude: Around 120,000 feet (23 miles / 36.5 km) - Felix Baumgartner's jump altitude

This is the view Baumgartner had. The curvature is much more dramatic. The sky above is jet black, and you see a thick, blue arc of the Earth's atmosphere against the darkness of space. You are high enough to see the thin layer of our atmosphere, but you are not yet far enough away to see the planet as a complete sphere filling your view.

Seeing the Earth as a Complete Globe (Orbital Perspective)

Altitude: Around 1.5 to 2 million feet (250 miles / 400 km) - This is the altitude of the International Space Station (ISS)

This is the iconic view. From orbit, the Earth is unmistakably a giant, rotating globe. You can see vast continents, oceans, and weather systems. The curvature is so pronounced that you can't see the entire planet at once without moving your head—your field of view captures a massive section of the globe.

The Crucial Factor: Field of View

The ability to see the curvature isn't just about altitude; it's about your field of view. Imagine standing on a very long, straight beach. You can't see the curve of the Earth along the shoreline because your field of view is too narrow. But if you could see hundreds of miles of the coast at once, the curve would be apparent.

It's the same from high altitude. To see the curve, you need a wide, panoramic view. This is why pictures from high-altitude balloons often show a curved horizon—they use wide-angle lenses that capture a vast swath of the planet.

50,000 - 60,000 ft (10-11 mi)

What you see: Clear curvature (a distinct arc)

Analogous to: High-altitude aircraft (U-2)

120,000 ft (23 mi)

What you see: Pronounced arc, black sky, thin atmosphere

Analogous to: Felix Baumgartner's Red Bull Stratos jump

250+ miles (400+ km)

What you see: The Earth as a complete globe in space

Analogous to: International Space Station (ISS)

In conclusion: You need to be at least at 50,000 feet to clearly see the Earth's curvature with your own eyes. However, to have the experience of seeing the Earth as a globe hanging in the black void of space, you need to be in orbit, at an altitude of at least 250 miles.