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Tide Calculator

Estimate tidal heights using the Rule of Twelfths. Select a reference port, enter hours from high water, and see the predicted tide height and curve.

Parameters

Southampton Data

MHWS
4.5m
MHWN
3.6m
MLWN
1.8m
MLWS
0.5m

Predicted Height

4.50m

Tidal Range

4.0m

Tide State

High Water

Tide Curve (Rule of Twelfths)

-6h-3h0h+3h+6h0.5m2.5m4.5mHW

Horizontal axis shows hours relative to High Water. The gold marker indicates your selected time.

How the Rule of Twelfths Works

The tide does not rise or fall at a constant rate. The Rule of Twelfths approximates the sinusoidal tidal curve:

1/12
1st hr
2/12
2nd hr
3/12
3rd hr
3/12
4th hr
2/12
5th hr
1/12
6th hr

This tool uses published tidal levels (MHWS, MHWN, MLWN, MLWS) for each reference port and interpolates between them.

Heights tell you the depth; tidal streams move the boat. Plot a stream as a vector for a DR and EP with the digital Portland plotter.

Embed this tide calculator on your site

Free for sailing clubs, schools and blogs. Paste this into your page; it works on any site that allows HTML.

<iframe src="https://learntosail.io/embed/tide-calculator" title="Tide calculator" width="100%" height="900" loading="lazy" style="border:1px solid #d8dee4;border-radius:8px;max-width:100%"></iframe>
<p style="font-size:13px">Free <a href="https://learntosail.io/tools/tide-calculator">tide calculator</a> from learntosail.io</p>

Worked tide examples

Exam-style tidal questions with full working. See all worked examples.

Learn the theory behind this tool

Tidal heights, streams and anchoring depths are worked through step by step in these lessons.