Denver, Colorado · field elev 5,434 ft

Density Altitude at Denver International (KDEN)

Denver International is a genuine high-and-hot field: from 5,434 ft of elevation, a typical July afternoon (90 °F) pushes density altitude to about 8,572 ft — the airplane performs like it is 3,138 ft above the field before the wheels roll.

worst typical month: July · ≈8,572 ft station: DENVER INTL AP · 2 mi away normals vintage 1991–2020

Typical density altitude by month

From NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals at DENVER INTL AP (2 mi from the field) · standard pressure, dry air
Month Avg temp °F DA at avg temp Afternoon high °F DA on a typical afternoon
January 31.7 4,926 ft 44.6 5,779 ft ▲
February 32.7 4,993 ft 45.7 5,850 ft ▲
March 41.6 5,583 ft 55.7 6,491 ft ▲
April 47.8 5,986 ft 61.7 6,869 ft ▲
May 57.4 6,599 ft 71.2 7,455 ft ▲
June 68.2 7,271 ft 83.4 8,189 ft ⚠
July 75.1 7,692 ft 89.9 8,572 ft ⚠
August 72.9 7,559 ft 87.5 8,432 ft ⚠
September 64.8 7,061 ft 79.6 7,963 ft ▲
October 51.1 6,198 ft 65.3 7,092 ft ▲
November 39.4 5,439 ft 52.9 6,313 ft ▲
December 31.2 4,893 ft 44.0 5,740 ft ▲

▲ above 5,000 ft · ⚠ above 8,000 ft. These are planning references at standard pressure and dry air — afternoon humidity and low pressure both push the real number higher. Run today's values below.

Run today’s numbers for KDEN

Altimeter-style gauge: field elevation and density altitude needles 03691215 DENSITY ALT ×1,000 FT 8,578 DENSITY ALTITUDE · FEET
field elevation density altitude

DENSITY ALTITUDE 8,578 ft high DA

Field elevation 5,434 ft — the air behaves like 8,578 ft.

PRESSURE ALT
5,436 ft
ISA DEVIATION
RULE-OF-THUMB DA
AIR DENSITY INDEX
AIR DENSITY
WATER · GRAINS/LB

For training and reference · verify with official sources and your POH before flight · no tool on this site renders a go / no-go judgment

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Frequently asked questions

How high does density altitude get at KDEN in summer?

On a typical July afternoon — around 90 °F at the nearest NOAA normals station — density altitude at Denver International reaches roughly 8,572 ft at standard pressure. Hotter-than-normal days, low pressure, and humidity all push it higher, so run the day's actual numbers before flying.

What is the density altitude at KDEN on an average day?

It swings with the seasons: from roughly 4,893 ft at the coldest month's average temperature to about 7,692 ft at the warmest month's — all from a constant field elevation of 5,434 ft. The month-by-month table above carries the full year.

What is the field elevation of Denver International?

5,434 ft MSL, from the FAA NASR airport record (28-day cycle effective 2026-08-06). The identifier is KDEN (ICAO) / DEN (FAA), in Denver, Colorado.