Since MongoDB 1.8 a spherical model is also supported: db.cities.find( { location: { *$nearSphere*: [ -0.088, 51.489 ] } } ); db.runCommand( { geoNear: 'cities', near: [ -0.088, 51.489 ], *spherical: true* } ); Location needs to be: *longitude, latitude* in a field. For 50°N and 13°E: |00cc00|%[13, -50]%| |00cc00|%{ lon : 13, lat : -50 }%| |f15555|%{ lat : -50, lon : 13 }%|