# types of clouds and how high they are · Angel Step > The ten cloud types, their levels, and how high clouds are in kilometers, miles and feet, from the WMO International Cloud Atlas. Plus cumulonimbus vs cumulus. Canonical: https://angelstep.app/cloud-types Language: en Updated: 2026-10-10 Whole site in one file: https://angelstep.app/llms-full.txt This file is the markdown twin of the page at the canonical address above: the same words, without markup. Cite the canonical address, not this file. --- Clouds come in ten main types, sorted into three levels by how high they usually form. In mid-latitudes, high clouds sit about 5 to 13 km up (16,500 to 45,000 ft), middle clouds 2 to 7 km (6,500 to 23,000 ft), and low clouds from the ground to 2 km (6,500 ft). The levels overlap, and they sit higher in the tropics and lower near the poles. Angel StepCute Pedometer, Daily StepsFree · In-App Purchases · iPhone Scan with your iPhone camera ### The ten types of clouds The World Meteorological Organization's International Cloud Atlas names ten cloud genera and gives each level a range of heights where those clouds occur most often. The ten cloud genera, their level, and its height range | cloud | level | mid-latitudes | tropics | | Cirrus | high | 5–13 km | 6–18 km | | Cirrocumulus | high | 5–13 km | 6–18 km | | Cirrostratus | high | 5–13 km | 6–18 km | | Altocumulus | middle | 2–7 km | 2–8 km | | Altostratus | middle | 2–7 km | 2–8 km | | Nimbostratus | middle | 2–7 km | 2–8 km | | Stratocumulus | low | 0–2 km | 0–2 km | | Stratus | low | 0–2 km | 0–2 km | | Cumulus | low | 0–2 km | 0–2 km | | Cumulonimbus | low | 0–2 km | 0–2 km | ### How high are clouds? Usually between the ground and about 13 km in mid-latitudes. By level: - High clouds: 5 to 13 km, or 16,500 to 45,000 ft (3.1 to 8.1 miles). In the tropics 6 to 18 km; near the poles 3 to 8 km. - Middle clouds: 2 to 7 km, or 6,500 to 23,000 ft (1.2 to 4.3 miles). In the tropics up to 8 km. - Low clouds: from the surface to 2 km, or up to 6,500 ft (1.2 miles), everywhere. Some clouds do not stay in their level. Altostratus often reaches higher, nimbostratus usually spreads into the levels above and below, and cumulus and cumulonimbus have their bases low while their tops may reach the middle and high levels. ### Cumulonimbus vs cumulus Cumulus are separate heaps: dense, with sharp outlines, growing upward into mounds whose bulging tops look like a cauliflower. Where the sun hits them they are bright white, and their base is darker and nearly flat. Cumulonimbus is much bigger: a heavy, dense cloud of great height, built like a mountain or a huge tower. Its top is nearly always flattened and often spreads out like an anvil, and its base is often very dark. So a bulging cauliflower top usually means cumulus, and a flattened top spreading like an anvil usually means cumulonimbus. ### Look up on your walk Knowing a cloud's name gives you one more reason to look up. People who looked out for vast things on their walks reported more joy, and why a walk clears your head has the study behind that. ### Where Angel Step fits Angel Step puts today's steps on your Home Screen and Lock Screen over a sky whose clouds open as you walk. It does not forecast or identify clouds. ### Sources - World Meteorological Organization, International Cloud Atlas — levels and their heights by latitude. WMO - WMO, International Cloud Atlas — definition of cumulus. WMO - WMO, International Cloud Atlas — definition of cumulonimbus. WMO - Hong Kong Observatory — the classification and nomenclature of clouds. Hong Kong Observatory Updated 10 October 2026 learn one cloud's name, and go out to look up. Angel Step keeps today's steps on your Home Screen and Lock Screen, over a sky whose clouds open as you walk.