Sacramento International Airport (KSMF)
Large airport · Sacramento, California, United States
Airport data
| Name | Sacramento International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KSMF |
| IATA | SMF |
| Elevation | 27 ft (8 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 38°41'43" W 121°35'28" 38.69540, -121.59100 |
| Location | Sacramento, California, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17L/35R | 8,605 ft (2623 m) | 150 ft | CON | Yes |
| 17R/35L | 8,598 ft (2621 m) | 150 ft | CON | Yes |
Sacramento International Airport at a glance
Sacramento International Airport is a large airport in Sacramento, California, United States, known to airline systems as SMF. The field elevation of 27 ft (8 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KSMF are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 17L/35R — offers 8,605 ft (2623 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 17L points roughly 170° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KSMF shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Sacramento International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| McClellan Airfield | KMCC | 17 km (9 NM) |
| Sacramento Executive Airport | KSAC | 22 km (12 NM) |
| Sacramento Mather Airport | KMHR | 30 km (16 NM) |
| Yuba County Airport | KMYV | 45 km (24 NM) |
| Beale Air Force Base | KBAB | 51 km (28 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Sacramento International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 27 ft field elevation of Sacramento International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Sacramento International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Sacramento International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Sacramento International Airport is KSMF, and its IATA code is SMF. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Sacramento International Airport above sea level?
Sacramento International Airport sits at an elevation of 27 feet (8 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Sacramento International Airport located?
The airport lies at 38.6954, -121.5910 — in Sacramento, California, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is McClellan Airfield, about 17 km away.
Does KSMF publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KSMF appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Sacramento International Airport?
Sacramento International Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 17L/35R, measures 8,605 ft (2623 m) with a CON surface.