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How are mountains different from hills?

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A car drives along the Trans-Canada Highway with Mount Sir Donald's sharp, snow-capped peak rising above forested slopes in the Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia. — mountain Mount Sir Donald in the Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia, looms above a segment of the Trans-Canada Highway.

A mountain is defined as a landform that rises prominently above its surroundings, typically characterized by steep slopes, a relatively confined summit area, and significant local relief.12

While mountains are generally understood to be larger than hills, there is no standardized geological definition that distinguishes the two. Because the term "mountain" lacks a strict scientific threshold for size or elevation, the distinction between a mountain and a hill is often subjective or based on local convention rather than a universal geological rule.12

Unlike hills, which may appear as isolated mounds or rises, mountains rarely occur individually. They are most commonly found in elongated ranges or chains, and when multiple ranges are linked together, they form a mountain belt.12