---
title: How are Shift Distances Calculated?
description: Shift distances are calculated directly and once shift is booked its based on travel distance.
---

[Skip to content](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/how-are-shift-distances-calculated#main-content)

English

Show submenu for translations

[More support](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en)

![2  Relief Buddy Logo Final, RB and Text, Horizontal-1.png\]](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2%20%20Relief%20Buddy%20Logo%20Final%2c%20RB%20and%20Text%2c%20Horizontal-1.png?height=40&name=2%20%20Relief%20Buddy%20Logo%20Final%2c%20RB%20and%20Text%2c%20Horizontal-1.png)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- English
  
  Show submenu for translations
- [More support](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/kb-tickets/new)
- Go to reliefbuddy.com

 Go to reliefbuddy.com

 Hello. How can we help?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Help Center](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/?hsLang=en)
2. [FAQ](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/faq?hsLang=en)

# How are Shift Distances Calculated?

## Shift distances are calculated directly and once shift is booked its based on travel distance.

Shift distances within the Relief Buddy app are calculated in 2 different ways depending on what you're doing. 

 

The primary way distance is calculated on the Relief Buddy platform is via straight-line distance, direct distance, Euclidean, or most commonly know **as-the-crow-flies** distance between two points. These terms all refer to the shortest possible distance between two locations, ignoring any obstacles or detours.

When searching for shifts on the shift search page the platform uses the **as-the-crow-flies** method to quickly calculate the distance and give users a guide on how far away the shift is. 

 

Example of "Shift Search" showing the **as-the-crow-flies** distance:

![](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-15-2025-01-15-14-5642-PM.png?width=500&height=1012&name=image-png-May-15-2025-01-15-14-5642-PM.png)

 

The second way distance is calculated using the **real-world travel** distance, which will be longer than **as-the-crow-flies** because of the need to follow roads or other routes. The **real-world travel** distance is only calculated when viewing the shift details and there is a **travel allowance** set. 

 

Example of "Shift Details" showing the **real-world travel** distance:

![](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-15-2025-01-19-06-1156-PM.png?width=500&height=1018&name=image-png-May-15-2025-01-19-06-1156-PM.png)

 

To tell if a **Travel Allowance** is offered look for this symbol on the "Shift Search" page.

![](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-15-2025-01-11-39-3592-PM.png?width=688&height=115&name=image-png-May-15-2025-01-11-39-3592-PM.png)

 

**Important Note:** If **Travel Allowance** is not offered, then only the **as-the-crow-flies** distance is used. If a shift is later updated with **Travel Allowance**, the system will automatically calculate the **real-world travel** distance and apply that to the shift.

 

Visual example **as-the-crow-flies** distance vs **real-world travel** distance: 

![](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-15-2025-01-26-15-5696-PM.png?width=500&height=388&name=image-png-May-15-2025-01-26-15-5696-PM.png)

- [Getting Started](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/getting-started?hsLang=en)
- [RB Pay](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/rb-pay?hsLang=en)
- [Profile Management](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/profile-management?hsLang=en)
- [Payment Setup](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/payment-setup?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Payment Options](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/payment-setup?hsLang=en#payment-options)
- [FAQ](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/faq?hsLang=en)
- [Mobile App](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/mobile-app?hsLang=en)
- [Moving From BTG Global to Relief Buddy](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/moving-from-btg-global-to-relief-buddy?hsLang=en)

[![Chill listening crop-3](https://knowledgebase.reliefbuddy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2%20%20Relief%20Buddy%20Logo%20Final%2c%20RB%20and%20Text%2c%20Horizontal-1.png?width=105&height=24&name=2%20%20Relief%20Buddy%20Logo%20Final%2c%20RB%20and%20Text%2c%20Horizontal-1.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://reliefbuddy.com/)

Copyright © 2026, Relief Buddy Inc. all right reserved