Learning Mission

Spherical Coordinates Interactive Tool

Move a point in 3D space and see how distance, turn-around angle, and down-from-the-top angle describe its position.

Convention used here: rho is distance from the origin, theta is the xy-plane angle from +x, and phi is measured down from +z.

Think of a point on a globe: choose how far out from the center, turn around the equator, then tilt down from the north pole.
Spherical(5, 40 deg, 55 deg)
Cartesian(3.14, 2.63, 2.87)
xy shadow4.10
Height z2.87

rho

Distance from the origin to the point. It is always zero or positive.

theta

The rotation angle around the xy-plane, measured from the positive x-axis.

phi

The angle from the positive z-axis down toward the point.

Units

Cartesian to Spherical

Enter x, y, and z to convert back to spherical coordinates.

Converter readyUse the point readout or type your own Cartesian coordinate.