Half Dome Elevation: Nearly 8,800 Feet, 4,737 Above the Valley

Half Dome stands nearly 8,800 feet (2,682 meters) above sea level and rises about 4,737 feet (1,444 meters) above the surrounding valley. Both figures are from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Two datasets, two numbers

The USGS figure above is a rounded published value. The 3DEP elevation model behind our map reads 8,842 feet at its highest cell (Archive entry HE-EA-26-001-HDM). They come from different data, so we show both and let you check either. The Archive ID is verifiable on the data page.

Source: USGS, How did Half Dome acquire its unique shape?

What it is made of

USGS describes Half Dome as the remains of a magma chamber that cooled slowly and crystallized thousands of feet below the surface. It was exposed by uplift and erosion; exfoliation rounded the dome, weathering along vertical joints created the steep northwest face, and later glaciation undercut and plucked rock from that face. Erosion and rockfalls continue.

How we draw it

Our Half Dome edition is drawn by hand from USGS 3DEP elevation data (10 m DEM). The tee uses a 200 ft contour interval and the print a 100 ft interval. Nothing is generated.

Questions

How high is Half Dome above Yosemite Valley? About 4,737 feet (1,444 meters), per USGS.

What is Half Dome's elevation above sea level? Nearly 8,800 feet (2,682 meters), per USGS.

The map

Half Dome poster · Half Dome tee · Complete Edition (tee + print).

Figures checked against the sources above on October 2, 2026.