Station Difference Calculator
Convert begin and end stations (STA 10+50 style) into feet and stations of run. One station is 100 feet.
Enter your values, then press Calculate.
How to calculate
Enter the begin station and plus, then the end station and plus. 10+50 means station 10, plus 50 feet, or 1,050 feet from 0+00. The plus value is usually 0 to 99.99.
Formula
Distance (ft) = (end station × 100 + end plus) − (begin station × 100 + begin plus). Stations of run = feet ÷ 100.
Common use cases
- Plan quantity lengths
- Pipe run between stations
- Checking a station equation on a short segment
- Converting 12+25 − 10+50 in the field
Assumptions
- Stations use 100-foot stationing. 10+50 means 1,050 ft from 0+00.
- Plus values are 0 to 99.99 ft. 10+120 is rejected; write 11+20.
- Distance = end station feet − begin station feet, signed.
- No station equation is applied.
Limitations
- Does not handle station equations or equalities. Split the run at the equation.
- Does not convert metric chainage (20 m stations) unless you treat the numbers as 100-ft stations incorrectly — do not.
- Does not give slope length. Pair with elevation difference if you need grade.
- Does not assign a coordinate. This is alignment stationing only.
Worked examples
12+25 minus 10+50 is 175 ft
Begin 10+50 = 1,050 ft. End 12+25 = 1,225 ft. Difference 175 ft, or 1.75 stations of run along the alignment.
1. Begin in feet from 0+00
10 × 100 + 50 = 1,050 ft
2. End in feet from 0+00
12 × 100 + 25 = 1,225 ft
3. Difference
1,225 − 1,050 = 175 ft
Same station is zero
1. Begin in feet from 0+00
8 × 100 + 0 = 800 ft
2. End in feet from 0+00
8 × 100 + 0 = 800 ft
3. Difference
800 − 800 = 0 ft
Station notation (10+50)
US highway and utility stationing uses 100-foot stations. The number before the plus is whole stations from 0+00. The plus is leftover feet, 0 through 99.99. 10+50 is 10 × 100 + 50 = 1,050 ft from 0+00. It is not 10.50 stations and not 1,050 inches. Field books write STA 10+50; GPS and CAD may store the same point as 1050.00 ft of station.
Forward and reverse differences
Distance = end feet − begin feet. Going downstream (12+25 minus 10+50) is +175 ft, which is 1.75 stations of run. Going against stationing (18+50 minus 20+00) is −150 ft. Use the signed result when you are checking a layout direction. Use the absolute value only when you need length of run and the plans already fix the order of the points.
Layout example
A storm run is called from STA 14+20 to STA 16+85. Begin 14+20 = 1,420 ft, end 16+85 = 1,685 ft, difference 265 ft. That is the horizontal station distance, not slope length. Pair it with the elevation-difference calculator if you also have invert elevations at those stations, then use pipe slope (not percent grade) when the run is a utility.
Illegal plus values
Field books sometimes write 10+120 when the crew meant 11+20. This calculator rejects a plus over 99.99 so that mistake does not silently become 1,120 ft stored as station 10. If you inherited a spreadsheet that stores 1050.00 as a single number, split it: station = floor(feet/100), plus = remainder.
Related calculators
FAQ
What does 10+50 mean?
Station 10 plus 50 feet, or 1,050 feet from 0+00. Each full station is 100 feet. The plus is remaining feet, not hundredths of a station.
Can the plus be 120?
No. Plus values are 0 to 99.99. 10+120 is not a legal station; write 11+20 instead. The calculator rejects plus values over 99.99.
What if the end station is behind the begin station?
The distance is signed. 18+50 minus 20+00 is −150 ft. That is a reverse difference, not an automatic absolute. Confirm the direction of stationing on the alignment.
What if the alignment has a station equation?
This tool does not apply equations. Split the run at the equation and add the two segments, or convert both points to a common equation first.
Is 10+50 the same as 10.50 stations?
No. 10+50 is 10 stations plus 50 feet = 1,050 ft. 10.50 stations would be 1,050 ft only if you already converted, but typing 10.50 as a plus value would be wrong. Use the plus as feet.
Disclaimer
These calculators are estimating tools for planning and field checks. They are not a substitute for approved plans, specifications, licensed professional engineering, or governing standards. Confirm densities, waste factors, and yields with your supplier and project documents.