How to Calculate the Distance Between ZIP Codes in Excel

Method 1: coordinates + Haversine formula

Step 1: get the coordinates. Paste your ZIP codes into the free bulk ZIP code lookup and download the CSV with latitude and longitude, then paste it into your sheet:

	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	From ZIP	Lat 1	Lon 1	Lat 2	Lon 2	Miles
2	10001 → 90210	40.7484	-73.9967	34.0901	-118.4065	formula

Step 2: the formula in F2:

=3959*ACOS(COS(RADIANS(90-B2))*COS(RADIANS(90-D2))+SIN(RADIANS(90-B2))*SIN(RADIANS(90-D2))*COS(RADIANS(C2-E2)))

This is the spherical law of cosines, which gives the same result as the Haversine formula for these distances. Replace 3959 with 6371 for kilometres. For 10001 → 90210 the result is about 2,450 miles.

Method 2: fetch distances from the API

The zipcodestack API answers in JSON, which spreadsheet formulas cannot parse directly, so use Power Query in Excel or Apps Script in Google Sheets.

Excel (Power Query): Data → Get Data → From Web, paste

https://api.zipcodestack.com/v1/distance?apikey=YOUR-API-KEY&country=us&unit=miles&code=10001&compare=90210,60601

and expand the results record into rows. Refresh the query whenever your list changes.

Google Sheets (Apps Script): Extensions → Apps Script, paste this function and save:

function ZIPDISTANCE(from, to, country) {
  const url = "https://api.zipcodestack.com/v1/distance?apikey=YOUR-API-KEY&unit=miles"
    + "&code=" + from + "&compare=" + to + "&country=" + (country || "us");
  const data = JSON.parse(UrlFetchApp.fetch(url).getContentText());
  return data.results[to];
}

Then use =ZIPDISTANCE(A2, B2) in any cell. Each call uses one request of your quota (300 free per month).

Which method to use

A few hundred rows, one-off analysis: Method 1, no API key needed.
Recurring reports or many countries: Method 2 keeps the data current and handles non-US postal codes.
Just need a quick answer: the ZIP code distance calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Can Excel calculate the distance between two ZIP codes on its own?

No. Excel has no ZIP code data. You need the latitude and longitude of each ZIP code first, then a Haversine formula calculates the distance.

What is the Excel formula for distance between coordinates?

=3959*ACOS(COS(RADIANS(90-B2))*COS(RADIANS(90-D2))+SIN(RADIANS(90-B2))*SIN(RADIANS(90-D2))*COS(RADIANS(C2-E2))) returns miles, with lat1/lon1 in B2/C2 and lat2/lon2 in D2/E2. Use 6371 instead of 3959 for kilometres.

Get this data in your app

zipcodestack looks up, validates and searches postal codes in 149 countries: city, state, coordinates, distances and radius search, as JSON.

300 free requests every month. No credit card required.

{ "results": { "10001": [{ "postal_code": "10001", "country_code": "US", "latitude": 40.7484, "longitude": -73.9967, "city": "New York", "state": "New York", "state_code": "NY", "province": "New York" }] } }

Distance between ZIP codes in Excel