How high does a Hill have to be before it is called a mountain.?

Answer 1

Some authorities define a mountain as a peak with a topographic prominence over a defined value: for example, according to the Britannica Student Encyclopedia, the term "generally refers to rises over 2,000 feet (610 metres)". The Encyclopædia Britannica, on the other hand, does not prescribe any height, merely stating that "the term has no standardized geological meaning".

United Kingdom

In England and Wales the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has defined "mountain" (as a mass noun) as all land over 600 metres, for the purposes of right to roam legislation. This is a close metric equivalent of 2,000 feet (610 meters) . The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 does not appear to draw this distinction, and in Scotland the term "mountain" is more subjective, often being used for hills exceeding 3,000 feet (914.4 m) listed as Munros, as well as many lower hills which are distinctive or mountainous. In the United Kingdom the term "hill" is commonly used for all hills and mountains, regardless of height.


A mountain is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain in a limited area. A mountain is generally higher and steeper than a hill, but there is considerable overlap, and usage often depends on local custom. Mountains cover 54% of Asia, 36% of North America, 25% of Europe, 22% of South America, 17% of Australia, and 3% of Africa. As a whole, 24% of the Earth's land mass is mountainous. Also, 1 in 10 people live in mountainous regions. All the world's major rivers are fed from mountain sources,[verification needed] and more than half of humanity depends on mountains for water.

Answer 2

There is no hard and fast definition. The 'mountains' of the UK would become insignificant hills if they were located within the Himalayas or Andes. Likewise, areas which are considered to be hilly would become mountains if moved to flat areas.

Everest Base Camp, from where climbers ascend Everest, is at 19,000 feet and next to this Mount McKinley (the highest in the US at 20,300 feet) would be a small hump. Mount Whitney (the highest in the Contiguous States at 14,500 feet) wouldn't even be visible.

In general though, a summit is considered to be a mountain if it rises prominently above the surroundings.

As a rough rule of thumb mountains in the Himalayas will be at least 5,000 metres and in the Rockies and Andes at least 3,000 metres.

In the UK there is an accepted definition of a mountain - this being any prominent summit higher than 3000 feet (914 metres). A little over 100 years ago Sir Hugh Munro documented the mountains of Scotland (and climbed all but one of them) and he applied the above definition which has since become accepted. Thus there are 4 mountains in England, either 8, 14 or 15 in Wales depending how you count them, and about 280 in Scotland.

Answer 3

The distinction between a hill and a mountain is unclear and largely subjective, but a hill is generally somewhat lower and less steep than a mountain. In the United Kingdom it is popularly believed that the Ordnance Survey defines a "mountain" as a peak greater than 1000 feet (305 meters) above sea level

Answer 4

It depends on who is answering the question, or at least the context in which the question is asked.
To a geographer, I believe it to be any landform rising prominently above the surrounding area.
To a geologist, it is not about height or it's relation to the surrounding area, but rather how it was formed. If it was formed due to erosional processes only, it would not be considered a mountain, but rather a hill. If it was formed due to processes in which the strata beneath the the landform were folded or faulted or otherwise uplifted, then it is considered a mountain.

Answer 5

it's totally subjective. There are hills around my area, the SF Bay Area, that someone from Iowa would consider a mountain, and there are mountains that someone from Tibet would consider hills.

Answer 6

3000 feet according to my Dad, a keen walker. Thats a UK
rating of course, and there are some fine peaks at lesser
heights ... e.g Suilven in North West Scotland, Cader
Idris in Mid Wales or Great Gable in Cumbria, England.

Answer 7

It's most assuredly not a mountain if you can fit it in your mouth, but friend, that certainly doesn't mean it's not something worthwhile to be conquered.

Answer 8

when its higher than a hill

Answer 9

209.65 feet