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Most of the time, the International Space Station (ISS) is orbiting the Earth at an altitude of approximately 220 miles (354 km), which places it in low Earth orbit (LEO). This distance can change, however, and has varied from 205 miles (330 km) to a planned maximum of 248 miles (400 km).
Further away from the earth, the ISS uses less fuel maintaining its orbit, but more is used keeping the station supplied and transferring crew. A balance has to be struck between these factors. At an altitude of 220 miles (354 km), the ISS uses about 19,000 lb (8618 kg) of propellant each year adjusting its orbit.