Basically, they are the same, but there is a slight difference in their meaning. When referring to someone who is older than you in your family or someone who has a close relationship with you, you should use "elder". The usual comparative and superlative forms of old are older and oldest: •My brother is older than me.

What is your elder brother?

An elder is any person who is older than you, which you may know from your sister who is only two years older than you saying, "Listen to your elders!" A church elder is someone who helps run the church, not necessarily its eldest member. Elder can be used as an adjective: Abel was the elder brother of Cain.

Which is correct elder or older?

'Elder' and 'eldest' are only used to refer to persons, whereas 'older' and 'oldest' are used to refer to both persons and things.