FGDC-STD-011-2001 

NSDI

National Spatial Data Infrastructure

NSDI

National Spatial Data Infrastructure

United States National Grid 

Standards Working Group 

Federal Geographic Data Committee 

 

December, 2001 

Federal Geographic Data Committee

Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Energy

Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of the Interior, Department of State 

Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Library of Congress 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Archives and Records Administration 

Tennessee Valley Authority 
Federal Geographic Data Committee 

Established by Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, the Federal Geographic Data Committee 

(FGDC) promotes the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of geographic data. 

The FGDC is composed of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, 

Housing and Urban Development, the Interior, State, and Transportation; the Environmental Protection 

Agency; the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the Library of Congress; the National Aeronautics 

and Space Administration; the National Archives and Records Administration; and the Tennessee Valley 

Authority. Additional Federal agencies participate on FGDC subcommittees and working groups. The 

Department of the Interior chairs the committee. 

FGDC subcommittees work on issues related to data categories coordinated under the circular. 

Subcommittees establish and implement standards for data content, quality, and transfer; encourage the 

exchange of information and the transfer of data; and organize the collection of geographic data to reduce 

duplication of effort. Working groups are established for issues that transcend data categories. 

For more information about the committee, or to be added to the committee's newsletter mailing list, please 

contact:

Federal Geographic Data Committee Secretariat 

c/o U.S. Geological Survey

590 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive 

Reston, Virginia 22092 

Telephone: (703) 648-5514 

Facsimile: (703) 648-5755 

Internet (electronic mail): gdc@usgs.gov 

Anonymous FTP: www.fgdc.gov/pub/

home page: www.fgdc.gov 

The following is the recommended bibliographic citation for this publication: 

United States National Grid (USNG), 

FGDC, December 2001, Reston, Virginia. 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

CONTENTS 

 Page 

1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................1 

1.1 Objective ....................................................................................................................................1 

1.2 Scope..........................................................................................................................................1 

1.3 Applicability...............................................................................................................................2 

1.4 Related Standards.......................................................................................................................3 

1.5 Standards Development Process ................................................................................................3 

1.6 Maintenance Authority...............................................................................................................4 

2. Conformance ..............................................................................................................................................5 

3. Main Features and Specifications...............................................................................................................6 

3.1 Equivalency with MGRS ...........................................................................................................6 

3.2 Basic Numbering........................................................................................................................6 

3.3 Referencing Scheme...................................................................................................................6 

3.3.1.Grid Zone Designation..............................................................................................6 

3.3.2 100,000-meter Square Identification.........................................................................8 

3.3.3 Grid Coordinates.......................................................................................................8 

4. Relationship to Datums ............................................................................................................................ 11 

5. Accuracy and Precision ............................................................................................................................ 12 

5.1 Accuracy .................................................................................................................................. 12 

5.2 Precision................................................................................................................................... 12 

5.2.1 Field Applications................................................................................................... 12 

5.2.2 Special Applications ............................................................................................... 12 

6. References................................................................................................................................................ 13 

Annex A (Normative) Use of North American Datum 1927 (NAD 27) ...................................................... 14 

Annex B (Normative) Truncation of UTM Coordinate Values.................................................................... 16 

Annex C (Informative) USNG Implementations.......................................................................................... 18 

C.1 Applications............................................................................................................................. 19 

C.1.1 General Features..................................................................................................... 19 

C.1.2 Large Geographic Areas......................................................................................... 19 

C.1.3 Regional Areas....................................................................................................... 19 

C.1.4 Local Areas ............................................................................................................ 19

C.1.5 Local Areas Near Grid Zone and/or 100,000-meter Square Boundaries ............... 20 

C.1.6 Complete Grid Reference....................................................................................... 20 

C.1.7 Reading Grid Coordinates...................................................................................... 23 

Annex D (Informative) General Conventions for USNG............................................................................. 30 

D.1 Appropriate Use of Truncated Values..................................................................................... 31 

D.2 Geographic Indexing............................................................................................................... 32 

D.2.1 National Atlas or Map............................................................................................ 32 

D.2.2 State Map Index ..................................................................................................... 32 

D.2.3 City Street Index .................................................................................................... 33 

D.3 Portrayal of USNG Grids and Grid Values on Maps.............................................................. 33 

D.3.1 Grid Spacing .......................................................................................................... 33 

D.3.2 Grid Value Portrayal .............................................................................................. 35 

D.3.3 Grid Reference Box ............................................................................................... 35 

D.3.4 Map Legend Information ....................................................................................... 35 

Annex E (Informative) USNG Standardized Numbering for NAD 27 Maps............................................... 36 

Annex F (Informative) Glossary................................................................................................................... 38 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Figures 

Page 

Figure 1 GZDs of the USNG ..........................................................................................................7 

Figure 2 Basic Plan of the 100,000-meter Square Identifications of the USNG.............................9 

Figure 3 Organization of the USNG 100,000-meter squares........................................................ 10 

Figure 4 Methods for showing GZDs and 100,000-meter Squares of the USNG in the 

Grid Reference Box........................................................................................................ 21 

Figure 5 Sample Grid Reference Box with instructions for giving a complete reference............. 22 

Figure 6 USNG Principal Digits ................................................................................................... 24 

Figure 7 Convention for portrayal of grid lines, UTM values, and single USNG 100,000-meter 

Square Identification ...................................................................................................... 25 

Figure 8 Convention for portrayal of grid lines, UTM values, and multiple USNG 

100,000-meter Square Identifications............................................................................. 26 

Figure 9 How to read USNG grid coordinates (1:24,000)............................................................ 29 

 

Tables 

Table 1 Truncation of USNG Values............................................................................................ 17 

Table 2 Grid Spacing Recommendation ....................................................................................... 34

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Objective 

1.2 

 

The objective of this standard is to create a more favorable environment for 

developing location-based services within the United States and to increase the 

interoperability of location services appliances with printed map products by 

establishing a nationally consistent grid reference system as the preferred grid for 

National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) applications. This standard defines 

the US National Grid. The U.S. National Grid is based on universally defined 

coordinate and grid systems and can, therefore, be easily extended for use worldwide as a universal grid reference system. 

There are a number of coordinate reference systems that can be used either in 

location service appliances or on printed maps for the purpose of establishing a 

location. Within automated location service appliances, the conversion of 

coordinates based on one well-defined reference system to coordinates based on 

another can be both automatic and transparent to the user. These devices can 

support multiple coordinate reference systems with little difficulty. However, it is 

not easy for humans to work in multiple reference systems and humans cannot 

convert between systems without the aid of location service appliances, 

calculators, or conversion tables. Furthermore, it is difficult for humans to 

accurately determine a location coordinate from paper maps when latitude and 

longitude are used because they do not appear square on the flat map. As a 

consequence paper maps created for the general public frequently have a square 

reference grid that overlays the non-rectangular coordinate reference system. It is 

computationally difficult, labor intensive, and time consuming to convert the 

reference grid coordinate obtained from one printed map to another printed map 

with a different grid even when both grid reference systems are well defined. It 

can be impossible when proprietary grids are used. This situation greatly limits 

the ability of humans to use location service devices with traditional printed 

maps. Subsequently, location based services in this country have been limited to 

totally digital environments, restricting the number of uses and retarding the 

development of the location based service industry. 

This standard seeks to improve the current situation by identifying a single 

nationally consistent, humanly facile grid reference system as the preferred U.S. 

National Grid (USNG) and promoting its use within the NSDI. 

 

Scope 

This standard defines a preferred U.S. National Grid (USNG) for mapping 

applications at scales of approximately 1:1,000,000 and larger. It defines how to 

present Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates at various levels of 

precision. It specifies the use of those coordinates with the grid system defined 

by the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS). Additionally, it addresses 

specific presentation issues such as grid spacing. The UTM coordinate 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

representation, the MGRS grid, and the specific grid presentation requirements 

together define the USNG. This standard is a process standard as defined by the 

Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Standards Reference Model. 

Specifically, it is a presentation process standard. 

1.3 Applicability 

This standard is for use in the acquisition or production, either directly or 

indirectly through contracts and partnerships, of printed maps and the acquisition, 

either directly or indirectly, of location service appliances. The USNG addresses 

the geospatial coordinate, human interface of products and services designed as 

interoperable components of the NSDI. This standard applies to printed maps that 

are intended to be used or are likely to be used by humans in conjunction with 

location service appliances and to location service appliances that are intended to 

be used or are likely to be used by humans in conjunction with printed map 

products. 

This standard is not primarily intended for the collection of geospatial data, either 

remote sensed data collection or field surveys. Nor is it intended for internal data 

storage structure of any Geographic Information System (GIS) or location service 

appliance or to the transfer of coordinates between databases or appliances. 

Use of USNG grid coordinates may be useful or even desirable within some

systems or enterprises. The decision to use USNG grid coordinates or some other 

coordinate system internal to geographic information systems or location service 

appliances is left to the discretion of the system developer as long as the human 

interface provides for USNG grid coordinate readout as one option. 

The USNG is not designed for surveying. This standard is not intended to replace 

the State Plane Coordinate Systems (SPCS) established by the National Geodetic 

Survey. The SPCS is specifically designed to meet the requirements of surveyors 

and engineers in determining location and boundaries and some states mandate its 

use for specific purposes. SPCS coordinates can be readily converted to USNG 

grid coordinates for subsequent use within the NSDI. The state plane coordinate 

system (SPCS), Public Land Survey System (PLSS) and other accepted local 

spatial reference systems may continue to be used where preferred for property 

descriptions and other specialized uses. 

The USNG is interoperable with the MGRS. This will be of critical importance to 

safety of life during times of disaster relief operations. 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

1.4 

1.5 

Related Standards 

This standard is compatible with: 

• ANSI X3.61-1986, Representation of Geographic Point Locations for 

Information Interchange, which standardizes representation of UTM 

coordinates for computer representation. 

• ISO/DIS 19116, Positioning Services, which provides an interface for realtime output from a GPS receiver and other positioning technologies. 

• ISO/DIS 19111, Spatial Referencing by Geographic Coordinates, which 

provides a conceptual schema for the description of coordinate reference 

systems. 

• The USNG standard is based on the Military Grid Reference System

Standards Development Process 

The USNG is an initiative of the Public XY Mapping Project, which is a not-forprofit organization created specifically to promote the acceptance of a national 

grid for the United States. The original concept can be traced to discussions 

within the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. The 

Public XY Mapping Project developed the idea, conducting informal tests and 

surveys to determine which coordinate reference system best met the 

requirements of national consistency and ease of human use. Based on its 

findings, a standard based on the MGRS was adopted. 

Because of the importance of this project to the NSDI, the Public XY Project 

brought its findings to the FGDC in 1998. After briefing the FGDC Coordination 

Group, an ad hoc study group, that included the FGDC Staff Director and the 

Chair of the FGDC Standards Working Group, recommended that the FGDC 

accept the project as an FGDC standard development activity. The FGDC 

Standards Working Group then created a subgroup led by the Public XY Mapping 

Project to husband the project through the FGDC standards process. The 

subgroup contains members from both the public and private sector, including 

key participation from the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) to 

assure that the USNG retains interoperability with the MGRS. The subgroup 

refined the standard and through an iterative review process with the FGDC 

Standards Working Group, produced, in November 2000, a final draft for public 

review consistent with the FGDC standards directives. 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

1.6 Maintenance Authority 

 

The Public XY Mapping Project will maintain this standard for the first five 

years. The Public XY Mapping Project has demonstrated the ability to marshal 

the resources needed to develop, promote, and initially implement the standard. 

After five years, the FGDC Standards Working Group will evaluate the need to 

move maintenance responsibility to one of the FGDC agencies. 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

2. CONFORMANCE 

Location service appliances that claim conformance to this standard shall accept 

USNG coordinates, as defined in Section 3, as input from the human user and 

provide USNG coordinate output to the human user, as at least one option. 

Printed map products that claim conformance to this standard shall provide a 

means for humans to accurately locate a USNG coordinate on the map and for 

humans to extract, for any point on the map, an accurate USNG coordinate. This 

will usually mean that the USNG will be printed on the map according to the 

guidance in this specification. 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

3. MAIN FEATUES AND SPECIFICATIONS. 

3.1 Equivalency With MGRS 

USNG coordinates shall be identical to the MGRS numbering scheme over all 

areas of the United States including outlying territories and possessions. 

3.2 Basic Numbering 

USNG basic coordinate values and numbering are identical to UTM coordinate 

values over all areas of the United States including outlying territories and 

possessions. 

3.3 Referencing Scheme

Numbering scheme shall be alphanumeric as follows: 

3.3.1 Grid Zone Designation 

First, the U.S. geographic area shall be divided into 6-degree longitudinal zones 

designated by a number and 8-degree latitudinal bands designated by a letter. 

Thus each area is given a unique alphanumeric Grid Zone Designator (GZD) 

(Figure 1 – pg. 7). 

The longitude zone numbers and latitude band letters for GZD over the United 

States shall be taken from the global scheme of MGRS. 

18S – Identifies a GZD. 

6 
Federal Geographic Data Committee 

United States National Grid

7 

Figure 1. Grid Zone Designations of the U.S. National Grid (USNG)

C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 DEF

GH

J

KL

MN

PQRS

T

UV

W

X

174°

180°

168°

162°

156°

150°

144°

138°

132°

126°

120°

114°

108°

102°

96°

90°

84°

78°

54°

48°

42°

36°

30°

24°

18°

0°

12°

6°

6°

12°

18°

24°

30°

36°

42°

48°

54°

60°

66°

72°

66°

Grid Zone Designation 18S

10

114°

120°

126°

132°

8°

72

78°

84°

90°

96°

102° °

90°W A B 90°E

180°

0°0°

Y Z

180°

90°W 90°E

60°
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

3.3.2 100,000-meter Square Identification 

Each GZD 6x8 degree area shall be covered by a specific scheme of 100,000-

meter squares where a two-letter pair identifies each square (Figures 2 and 3 – 

pgs. 9 and 10). 

18SUJ – Identifies a specific 100,000-meter square in the specified GZD. 

 

3.3.3 Grid Coordinates 

A point position within the 100,000-meter square shall be given by the UTM grid 

coordinates in terms of its Easting (E) and Northing (N). For specific 

requirements or applications, the number of digits will depend on the precision 

desired in position referencing. In this convention, the reading shall be from left 

with Easting first, then Northing. An equal number of digits shall always be used 

for E and N. 

 Examples: 

18SUJ20 - Locates a point with a precision of 10 km

18SUJ2306 - Locates a point with a precision of 1 km 

18SUJ234064 - Locates a point with a precision of 100 meters 

18SUJ23480647 - Locates a point with a precision of 10 meters 

18SUJ2348306479 - Locates a point with a precision of 1 meter 

8 
Federal Geographic Data Committee 

United States National Grid

9 

Figure 2. Basic Plan of the 100,000-meter Square Identification of the United States National Grid (USNG

BM CM DM EM FM GM

BL CL DL EL FL GL

BK CK DK EK FK GK

BJ CJ DJ EJ FJ GJ

BH CH DH EH FH GH

BG CG DG EG FG GG

BF CF DF EF FF GF

BE CE DE EE FE GE

BD CD DD ED FD GD

BC CC DC EC FC GC

BB CB DB EB FB GB

BA CA DA EA FA GA

BG CG DG EG FG GG

BF CF DF EF FF GF

BE CE DE EE FE GE

BD CD DD ED FD GD

BC CC DC EC FC GC

BB CB DB EB FB GB

BA CA DA EA FA GA

BV CV DV EV FV GV

BU CU DU EU FU GU

BT CT DT ET FT GT

BS CS DS ES FS GS

BR CR DR ER FR GR

BQ CQ DQ EQ FQ GQ

BP CP DP EP FP GP

BN CN DN EN FN GN

KM LM MM NM PM QM

KL LL ML NL PL QL

KK LK MK NK PK QK

KJ LJ MJ NJ PJ QJ

KH LH MH NH PH QH

KG LG MG NG PG QG

KF LF MF NF PF QFKE LE ME NE PE QE

KD LD MD ND PD QDKC LC MC NC PC QC

KB LB MB NB PB QBKA LA MA NA PA QAKV LV MV NV PV QVKU LU MU NU PU QUKT LT MT NT PT QT

KS LS MS NS PS QS

KR LR MR NR PR QRKQ LQ MQ NQ PQ QQ

KP LP MP NP PP QPKN LN MN NN PN QN

KM LM MM NM PM QM

KL LL ML NL PL QL

KK LK MK NK PK QK

KJ LJ MJ NJ PJ QJ

KH LH MH NH PH QH

KG LG MG NG PG QG

KF LF MF NF PF QF

TM UM VM WM XM YM

TL UL VL WL XL YL

TK UK VK WK XK YK

TJ UJ VJ WJ XJ YJ

TH UH VH WH XH YH

TG UG VG WG XG YG

TF UF VF WF XF YF

TE UE VE WE XE YE

TD UD VD WD XD YD

TC UC VC WC XC YC

TB UB VB WB XB YB

TA UA VA WA XA YA

TG UG VG WG XG YG

TF UF VF WF XF YF

TE UE VE WE XE YE

TD UD VD WD XD YD

TC UC VC WC XC YC

TB UB VB WB XB YB

TA UA VA WA XA YA

TV UV VV WV XV YV

TU UU VU WU XU YU

TT UT VT WT XT YT

TS US VS WS XS YS

TR UR VR WR XR YR

TQ UQ VQ WQ XQ YQ

TP UP VP WP XP YP

TN UN VN WN XN YN

AM

AL

AK

AJ

AH

AG

AF

AE

AD

AC

ABAA

AG

AF

AE

AD

AC

AB

AA

AVAU

AT

AS

AR

AQ

AP

AN

HMHL

HK

HJ

HH

HGHF

HE

HD

HC

HB

HA

HGHF

HE

HD

HC

HB

HAHV

HU

HT

HS

HR

HQHP

HN

JM

JL

JK

JJ

JH

JG

JF

JE

JD

JC

JBJAJV

JU

JT

JSJR

JQ

JP

JN

JM

JL

JK

JJ

JH

JG

JF

RS

RR

RQ

RP

RNRM

RLRK

RJRH

RGRF

RM

RL

RK

RJ

RH

RG

RF

RE

RD

RC

RB

RA

RV

RU

RT

SM

SL

SK

SJ

SH

SG

SF

SE

SD

SCSB

SA

SG

SFSE

SD

SC

SB

SASV

SU

ST

SS

SRSQ

SP

SN

ZM

ZL

ZK

ZJZH

ZG

ZF

ZE

ZD

ZC

ZB

ZA

ZG

ZF

ZE

ZD

ZC

ZB

ZAZV

ZU

ZT

ZS

ZRZQ

ZP

ZN

1,000,000m

8°

0°

180° 500,000m

False Easting

174° 168° 162°

0°

8°

1,000,000

2,000,000m 2,000,000m

16° 16°

24°

162° 174° 168° 180° 24°

0m 0m

500,000m

False Easting

500,000m

False Easting
Federal Geographic Data Committee 

United States National Grid

10 

Figure 3. Organization of the U.S. National Grid (USNG) 100,000-meter Grid Squares

AV BV CV DV EV FV GV HV JE KE LE ME NE PE QE RE SV TV UV VV WV XV YV ZVAU BU CU DU EU FU GU HU JD KD LD MD ND PD QD RD SU TU UU VU WU XU YU ZU

AT BT CT DT ET FT GT HT JC KC LC MC NC PC QC RC ST TT UT VT WT XT YT ZT

AS BS CS DS ES FS GS HS JB KB LB MB NB PB QB RB SS TS US VS WS XS YS ZSAR BR CR DR ER FR GR HR JA KA LA MA NA PA QA RA SR TR UR VR WR XR YR ZRAQ BQ CQ DQ EQ FQ GQ HQ JV KV LV MV NV PV QV RV SQ TQ UQ VQ WQ XQ YQ ZQAP BP CP DP EP FP GP HP JU KU LU MU NU PU QU RU SP TP UP VP WP XP YP ZPAN BN CN DN EN FN GN HN JT KT LT MT NT PT QT RT SN TN UN VN WN XN YN ZN

AM BM CM DM EM FM GM HM JS KS LS MS NS PS QS RS SM TM UM VM WM XM YM ZM

AL BL CL DL EL FL GL HL JR KR LR MR NR PR QR RR SL TL UL VL WL XL YL ZL

AK BK CK DK EK FK GK HK JQ KQ LQ MQ NQ PQ QQ RQ SK TK UK VK WK XK YK ZK

AJ BJ CJ DJ EJ FJ GJ HJ JP KP LP MP NP PP QP RP SJ TJ UJ VJ WJ XJ YJ ZJ

AH BH CH DH EH FH GH HH JN KN LN MN NN PN QN RN SH TH UH VH WH XH YH ZHAG BG CG DG EG FG GG HG JM KM LM MM NM PM QM RM SG TG UG VG WG XG YG ZG

AF BF CF DF EF FF GF HF JL KL LL ML NL PL QL RL SF TF UF VF WF XF YF ZF

AE BE CE DE EE FE GE HE JK KK LK MK NK PK QK RK SE TE UE VE WE XE YE ZEAD BD CD DD ED FD GD HD JJ KJ LJ MJ NJ PJ QJ RJ SD TD UD VD WD XD YD ZDAC BC CC DC EC FC GC HC JH KH LH MH NH PH QH RH SC TC UC VC WC XC YC ZCAB BB CB DB EB FB GB HB JG KG LG MG NG PG QG RG SB TB UB VB WB XB YB ZBAA BA CA DA EA FA GA HA JF KF LF MF NF PF QF RF SA TA UA VA WA XA YA ZA

AE BE CE DE EE FE GE HE JV KV LV MV NV PV QV RV SE AD BD CD DD ED FD GD HD JU KU LU MU NU PU QU RU SD AC BC CC DC EC FC GC HC JT KT LT MT NT PT QT RT SC AB BB CB DB EB FB GB HB JS KS LS MS NS PS QS RS SB AA BA CA DA EA FA GA HA JR KR LR MR NR PR QR RR SA AV BV CV DV EV FV GV HV JQ KQ LQ MQ NQ PQ QQ RQ SV AU BU CU DU EU FU GU HU JP KP LP MP NP PP QP RP SU 

AT BT CT DT ET FT GT HT JN KN LN MN NN PN QN RN ST 

AS BS CS DS ES FS GS HS JM KM LM MM NM PM QM RM SS AR BR CR DR ER FR GR HR JL KL LL ML NL PL QL RL SR AQ BQ CQ DQ EQ FQ GQ HQ JK KK LK MK NK PK QK RK SQ AP BP CP DP EP FP GP HP JJ KJ LJ MJ NJ PJ QJ RJ SP AN BN CN DN EN FN GN HN JH KH LH MH NH PH QH RH SN 

AM BM CM DM EM FM GM HM JG KG LG MG NG PG QG RG SM 

AL BL CL DL EL FL GL HL JF KF LF MF NF PF QF RF SL 

AK BK CK DK EK FK GK HK JE KE LE ME NE PE QE RE SK 

AJ BJ CJ DJ EJ FJ GJ HJ JD KD LD MD ND PD QD RD SJ 

AH BH CH DH EH FH GH HH JC KC LC MC NC PC QC RC SH AG BG CG DG EG FG GG HG JB KB LB MB NB PB QB RB SG 

AF BF CF DF EF FF GF HF JA KA LA MA NA PA QA RA SF 

2,000,000 m

ZONES

1,000,000 m

500,000 m

0 m

1,500,000 m

SET 1

1, 7, 13, 19, 25, 31,

37, 43, 49, 55

SET 2

2, 8, 14, 20, 26, 32,

38, 44, 50, 56

200,000 m

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000 m

SET 3

3, 9, 15, 21, 27, 33,

39, 45, 51, 57

SET 4

4, 10, 16, 22, 28, 34,

40, 46, 52, 58

SET 5

5, 11, 17, 23, 29, 35,

41, 47, 53, 59

6

200,000 m

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000 m

200,000 m

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000 m

200,000 m

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000 m

200,000 m

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000 m

200000 m
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

4. RELATIONSHIP TO DATUMS 

 

The standard datum for USNG coordinates shall be the North American Datum

1983 (NAD 83) or its international equivalent, the World Geodetic System 1984 

(WGS 84). 

For practical applications using an existing map referenced to North American 

Datum 1927 (NAD 27), see Annex A. 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

5. ACCURACY AND PRECISION 

5.1 Accuracy 

Paper maps using the USNG grid shall conform to the National Map Accuracy 

Standard. 

5.2 Precision 

5.2.1

5.2.2

USNG provides a flexible numbering scheme to accommodate variable precision 

from tens of kilometers to one meter or higher. 

 

Field Applications

For general field applications, a precision of one hundred or ten meters will be 

typical. 

For general applications, precision of up to one meter may be used. 

Special Applications

For special applications, the USNG can provide precision greater than one meter. 

For example, the location of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC can 

be identified on NAD 83 datum.

General reference: 18SUJ23480647 – precision 10 meters. 

Special application: 18SUJ2348316806479498 – precision 1 millimeter. 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

6. REFERENCES 

American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI), 1986, American National 

Standard for Information Systems - X3.61-1986, Representation of Geographic 

Point Locations for Information Interchange (Formerly Federal Information 

Processing Standard 70-1) 

National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), 1990, DMA Technical Manual 

8358.1 Datums, Ellipsoids, Grids, and Grid Reference Systems, Edition 1 

Synder, John P., 1987, Map Projections - A Working Manual; U.S. Geological 

Survey Professional Paper 1395, US Government Printing Office, Washington, 

DC 

Thompson, M.M., 1979, Maps for America, US Government Printing Office, 

Washington, DC 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex A – Use of North American Datum 1927 (NAD 27) 

United States National Grid 

Annex A (Normative) 

Use of North American Datum 1927 (NAD27)

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex A – Use of North American Datum 1927 (NAD 27) 

ANNEX A (Normative) 

Use of North American Datum 1927 (NAD 27) 

Published spatial references, such as a database or published list of spatial values 

for point features, shall be referenced to NAD 83 whenever possible. When it is 

necessary to identify a point on NAD 27, the coordinate values shall be followed 

by (NAD 27). For example, the NAD 83 coordinates of a point are designated 

18SUJ23480647, while the NAD 27 coordinates of the same point are designated 

18SUJ23450626 (NAD 27). 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex B – Truncation of USNG Values 

United States National Grid 

Annex B (Normative) 

Truncation of USNG Coordinate Values

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex B – Truncation of USNG Values 

ANNEX B (Normative) 

Truncation of USNG Coordinate Values

A uniform system of truncation is adopted for the USNG1

. Truncated coordinates begin 

with the 10,000-meter digit. Truncated coordinate values shall always consist of an even 

number of digits. Table 1 demonstrates how to truncate USNG grid coordinate values and 

compares these with truncated UTM grid coordinates. The portions of the USNG grid 

coordinate that is imbedded in the UTM coordinate value are underlined for illustrative 

purposes. 

Table 1. Truncation of USNG values Examples of truncated grid coordinates 

Complete grid reference Truncated coordinates 

Four digit

(1 km) 

Six digit

(100 m)

Eight digit

(10 m)

Ten digit

(1 m)

UTM +18,323483.168,4306479.498 2306 234064 23480647 2348306479

USNG 18SUJ2348306479 2306 234064 23480647 2348306479

 1

 A similar system of coordinate truncation can be employed for UTM grid coordinates. However, such a 

system of truncation is not part of the definition of the UTM system or the coordinate representation 

standard, ANSI X3.61, and is included here in Table 1 for illustration and uniformity purposes. 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex C – USNG Implementations 

United States National Grid 

Annex C (Informative) 

USNG Implementations

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex C – USNG Implementations 

ANNEX C (Informative) 

USNG Implementations 

C.1 Applications 

C.1.1 General features 

All elements of a grid reference need not be used. Their use depends upon the 

size of the area of activities, the type of use, and the scale of map to which the 

reference is keyed. Users will decide which elements of the grid references are 

needed for specific circumstances. The following paragraphs provide guidance 

for the use of GZDs and 100,000-meter Square Identifications. 

C.1.2 Large geographic areas 

For situations or issues spanning large geographical areas, such as conterminous 

United States or Alaska, the GZD is usually given (such as 18S in 

18SUJ23480647). The designation will alleviate ambiguity between identical 

references that may occur when reporting to a station outside the area. The GZD 

is always used in giving references on 1:1,000,000-scale to 1:500,000 scale maps. 

C.1.3 Regional areas 

For areas less than a grid zone wide, but exceeding 100,000 meters, only the 

100,000-meter Square Identification need be used (such as UJ in UJ23480647).

C.1.4 Local areas 

For small and localized areas, the GZDs and 100,000-meter Square Identifications 

need not be used, unless reporting falls within the parameters explained in 

following paragraphs. For an area falling within a single 100,000-meter square, 

only the numerical part of the grid reference is required (such as 23480647). 

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United States National Grid

Annex C – USNG Implementations 

C.1.5 For local areas near Grid Zone and/or 100,000-meter Square boundaries 

C.1.5.1 Grid Zone Boundary 

In this case, GZD and 100,000-meter Square Identification have to be used with 

the USNG coordinate. 

C.1.5.2 100,000-meter Square Boundary 

In this case, the 100,000-meter Square Identification has to be used with the 

USNG coordinate. 

C.1.6 Complete grid reference 

Topographic maps at 1:500,000 and larger scales should provide a grid reference 

box that contains the elements for making a complete grid reference. See Figure 

4 (pg. 21). Figure 5 (pg. 22) provides an example of an option for a grid 

reference box with instructions for making a complete grid reference. 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee 

United States National GridAnnex C – USNG Implementations 

Figure 4. Methods for depicting Grid Zone Designations and 100,000-meter Square Identifications

on the US National Grid in the Grid Reference Box.

Grid Zone Designation

18S

43 00

UH

UJ

100,000-m Square ID

U.S. National Grid

Grid Zone Designation

18S

UH

100,000-m Square ID

U.S. National Grid

Grid Zone Designation

18S

3 00

43 00

TH

TJ

UH

UJ

100,000-m Square ID

U.S. National Grid

UK

100,000-m Square ID

18S

Grid Zone Designation

18T 40°N

U.S. National Grid

QC

100,000-m Square ID

TH

78°W

Grid Zone Designation

17S 18S

78°W

U.S. National Grid

Grid Zone Designation

18S

3 00

TJ UJ

100,000-m Square ID

U.S. National Grid

UK

Grid Zone Designation

18S18T 40°N

4 00

VK

100,000-m Square ID

U.S. National Grid

QE TK

100,000-m Square ID

Grid Zone Designation

17T 18T

78°W

17S 18S

40°N

U.S. National Grid U.S. National Grid

Grid Zone Designation

04Q 05Q

156°W

23 00

HH

HJ

JC

JD

100,000-m Square ID

156°W

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Federal Geographic Data Committee 

United States National GridAnnex C – USNG Implementations 

22 

1. Read numbers labeling the VERTICAL grid line left of pointand estimate tenths (100 meters) from grid line to point.

2. Read numbers labeling the HORIZONTAL grid line below pointand estimate tenths (100 meters) from grid line to point.

95 492 6

WHEN REPORTING ACROSS A 100,000 METER LINE, PREFIXTHE 100,000 METER SQUARE IDENTIFICATION IN WHICH THE POINT LIES.

Example: 954926

Example: TH954926

WHEN REPORTING OUTSIDE THE GRID ZONE DESIGNATIONAREA, PREFIX THE GRID ZONE DESIGNATION.

Example: 18STH954926

Grid Zone Designation

18S

100,000-m Square ID

Sample

point

95 96

9293

TH

Figure 5. Sample Grid Reference Box with instructions for giving a complete reference.
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex C – USNG Implementations 

C.1.7 Reading grid coordinates 

C.1.7.1 Principal digits 

The 10,000-meter and 1,000-meter digits are known as the principal digits and 

identify USNG grid lines. Preceding and following UTM digits are shown as 

superscript. Alternatively, only the principal digits for grid lines need be shown, 

but a sample full UTM value for both the Easting and Northing axis must be 

depicted at least once on the map, usually near the southeast corner. See Figures 

6, 7 and 8 (pgs 24 – 26). 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee 

United States National GridAnnex C – USNG Implementations 

24 

Figure 6. United States National Grid (USNG) Principal Digits.

The 10,000 and 1,000 meter values in UTM coordinates are known as the principal digits in USNG coordinaIn this illustration, six examples of Principal Digits have been circled. Note how the USNG principal digitsare portrayed in larger type, and the preceding and post principal digit UTM values are included as superscrThis well established convention provides both USNG and UTM values in a manner that is easy to read and confusion. Alternatively, grid lines may be identified by only the principal digits as seen in lines 96 and linlong as at least one full set of UTM grid values are provided. (See Figure 7 for additional details.).

2 94 95

4292000mN

4293

94

96 297000mE

USNG Prin
Federal Geographic Data Committee 

United States National GridAnnex C – USNG Implementations 

25 

Figure 7. Convention for portrayal of grid lines, UTM values, and single USNG 100,000-meter Square Identificati

1,000 meter US National GridNorth American Datum 1983Grid Zone Designation: 18S100,000-m Square Identification: UH 

312 313 314 315000mE

92

42934294

95

4294

313

4293

95

12 314 315

4292000mN

Grid Zone D

18

U

100,000-m 

U.S. Nati
Federal Geographic Data Committee 

United States National GridAnnex C – USNG Implementations 

26 

298 299 300 301000mE

98

42994300

01

TH UH

TH UHTJ UJ

4300

299

4298000m

4299

01

98 300 301

UH

UJ

TJ UJ

TJ

TH

Figure 8. Convention for portrayal of grid lines, UTM values, and multiple USNG 100,000-meter Square Identif

Grid 

T

T

100

U

1,000 meter US National GridNorth American Datum 1983Grid Zone Designation: 18S100,000-m Squares: TH, UH, TJ, UJ
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex C – USNG Implementations 

C.1.7.2 Read right and up 

The numerical part of a grid reference always contains an even number of digits. 

The first half of the total number of digits represents the Easting, and the second 

half the Northing. The standard convention of reading "right (Easting) and up 

(Northing)" is employed. 

C.1.7.3 Read right 

To read the Easting coordinate, locate the first Easting (vertical grid line to the 

left of the point of reference and read the large digits, the principal digits labeling 

the line either in the top or bottom margin or on the line itself. Smaller digits 

shown as part of a grid number are ignored. Estimate, or scale the distance 

between the Easting line to the left of the point and the point itself. 

C.1.7.4 Read up 

The reading of the Northing coordinate is made in a similar manner. Locate the 

first Northing (horizontal) grid line below the point of reference and read the 

principal digits labeling the line located in the left or right margin or on the line 

itself. Then estimate, or scale the distance between the Northing grid line below 

the point and the point itself. 

C.1.7.5 Grid coordinates 

The numerical part of a point reference taken from a 1,000-meter grid (on maps at 

scales of 1:100,000 and larger) is typically either a six-digit or eight-digit number; 

for example 234064 or 23480647. For a six-digit grid coordinate (i.e. 234064), 

reading from left to right, the 23 represents the 10,000 and 1,000 digits of the first 

Easting grid line to the left of the point, the 4 represents the estimated or scaled 

(nearest 100 meters) from the Easting line to the point, the 06 represents the 

10,000 and 1,000 digits of the first Northing grid line below the point, and the 4 

represents the estimated or scaled (nearest 100 meters) from the Northing grid 

line to the point. 

C.1.7.6 Example reading of grid coordinates 

Refer to Figure 9 (pg. 29) for the following example. 

A USNG reference is formally written as an entity without spaces, parentheses, 

dashes, or decimal points. In this example the grid coordinates are shown for a 

map feature, a small cemetery. From the legend the feature is located in GZD 

(18S) and 100,000-meter square (TH). For the grid coordinates, read right to the 

grid intersection immediately left of the place of interest. In Figure 9, it is line 

95. Then identify the grid line below the point (in this example 92). The 

coordinate value 9592 gives the location to within 1,000 meters. Measuring or 

27 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex C – USNG Implementations 

estimating right in meters from line 95, finds the cemetery is another 415 meters. 

The complete USNG Easting component is 95415. Measuring up (north) from

line 92, the cemetery is another 635 meters. The complete USNG Northing 

component is 92635. In this example a precision of 10 meters is required, thus 

the eight-digit coordinate value of the cemetery is 95419263. Notice how the 1-

meter values of 5 have been dropped in the eight-digit grid coordinates. The 

USNG coordinate values are: 

Full USNG: 18STH95419263

Without GZD: TH95419263

Without GZD and 100,000-meter Square Identification: 95419263

 

Using the example of the cemetery above, grid coordinates are illustrated below 

for four, six, eight, and ten digits. These values represent a point position (the 

southwest corner) for an area of refinement. 

Four digits 9592 Locating a point within a 1,000-meter square. 

Six digits 954926 Locating a point within a 100-meter square. 

Eight digits 95419263 Locating a point within a 10-meter square. 

Ten digits 9541592635 Locating a point within a 1-meter square. 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee 

United States National GridAnnex C – USNG Implementations 

29 

This figure illustrates how to oba feature on the map, in this casare depicted as full and truncatepreceding grid coordinates are tand 100,000-meter Square Identand TH respectively). These valReference Box in the map legenappropriate to locate the feature areas. A full coordinate (i.e. 18unique value over the entire woa value with 10-meters precision size area.Finding 95419263. Think 9541 - Reading right to grid line 95, mmeters. Dropping the one-metecoordinate Easting value 9541. - Read up to grid line 92. MeasuThe Northing coordinate value i92 + 630-meters (drop the 0) to the grid coordinate 95419263 (t

Truncated example

Feature: USNG Grid C

Bench Mark 324 9434

Pond 9432

Building 9564

Road intersection 9618

Map extract from US Geolo7.5-minute quadrangle FAI1994 edition.

Grid: 9592

410-meters

630-meters

Grid: 18STH9541592635

18STH95419263

TH95419263

95419263

954926

Figure 9. How to read United States National Grid (USNG) grid coordinates.

4294

Grid Zone Designation

18S

3 00

43 00

TH

TJ

UH

UJ

100,000-m Square ID

U.S. National Grid
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex D – General Conventions for the USNG 

United States National Grid 

Annex D (Informative) 

General Conventions for the USNG

30 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex D – General Conventions for the USNG 

ANNEX D (Informative) 

General Conventions for the USNG. 

D.1 Appropriate use of truncated values 

Full USNG values should be provided when they are used to indicate a 

geoaddress on stationary letterhead, business cards, etc., even though the reader 

will know from the street address that it is in the vicinity of a given town. This 

will facilitate someone using USNG geoaddresses with a GPS receiver or digital 

map. For example: 

Department of Interior 

1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 

USNG: 18SUJ22850705 

Alternatively, when two people are exchanging positioning information by voice 

or other informal means, they will often use only the USNG grid coordinate, such 

as: "We're located in Washington at 1849 C Street, NW, grid 22850705." 

A USNG spatial reference is formally written for general applications as an entity 

without spaces, parentheses, dashes, or decimal points as depicted above. If 

users must break a spatial reference into segments to facilitate reading, the 

following convention shall be used. 

18S UJ 228070 

or 

18S UJ 2286 0705 

This convention is most appropriate in hand written notes or GPS receiver 

equipment displays. 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex D – General Conventions for the USNG 

D.2 Geographic indexing 

D.2.1 National Atlas or Map 

Features should be referenced in a map or atlas index using truncated USNG 

values because such an index can then be used with any map conforming to this 

standard thus promoting interoperability and the sharing of index information. In 

the case of an atlas, the particular page numbers would also be indicated. For 

example, the cities of Huntsville can be referenced as: 

Huntsville, AL ED 3743 

Huntsville, AR VV 3393 

Huntsville, MO WD 3965 

Huntsville, OH KE 6280 

Huntsville, TN GF 2532 

Huntsville, TX TQ 5501 

Huntsville, UT VL 3567 

The exception to this format is Alaska, which exceeds 18° of latitude and 

longitude in extent (more than three grid zones). For Alaska, the GZD should 

also be shown. 

D.2.2 State map index 

An index for a state atlas or map for Texas can reference cities as: 

Huntington UQ 4961 

 Huntoon LF 5335 

 Huntsville TQ 5501 

Huntsville St Park TP 5790 

Hurlwood GT 7419 

In the case of a state atlas, the page numbers for each feature would also be 

indicated. The exception to this format is again Alaska, where the GZD should 

also be shown. 

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Annex D – General Conventions for the USNG 

D.2.3 City street index 

A large-scale atlas or street map for Huntsville, TX can index street names as: 

Baker TP 562995 

Beto TP 571981 

 Bowers TQ 570005 

 Brook TP 567984 

 Bush TQ 543021 

The coordinate values would usually be for the place where the street name

appears on the map. Note that since the extent of Huntsville, TX is not larger 

than 100 x 100 kilometers, the 100,000-meter Square Identifications are not 

essential in this street index. A city street atlas would also reference the page 

number unique to that atlas for the street. 

D.3 Portrayal of USNG grids and grid values on maps 

D.3.1 Grid spacing 

On large-scale paper maps, precise measurement requires a fine line square grid. 

Grids provide the user with a geodetic reference in close proximity to any point 

on the map facilitating measurement and compensating for paper distortion. The 

size of grid squares is a trade off between a precise reference and map clutter. 

Table 2 provides a proven and useful convention and guide where grid squares on 

maps are no smaller than 20mm nor larger than 100mm along each side. 

33 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex D – General Conventions for the USNG 

Table 2. Grid spacing recommendation 

 

Map scale Grid spacing 

(On ground in meters.) 

Grid spacing 

(On map in millimeters.) 

1:10,000 1,000 100

1:20,000 1,000 50.0

1:24,000 1,000 41.6

1:25,000 1,000 40.0

1:50,000 1,000

or 

5,000 

20 

or 

100.0 

1:62,500 5,000 80.0

1:63,360 5,000 78.7

1:100,000 10,000 100.0

1:250,000 10,000 40.0

1:500,000 50,000 100.0

1:1,000,000 100,000 100.0

 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex D – General Conventions for the USNG 

D.3.2 Grid value portrayal 

The USNG is based on the UTM grid, and as such the first two digits in USNG 

Easting and Northing are the same as the 10,000-meter and 1,000-meter digits of 

UTM Easting and Northing coordinates. Provisions should be made so map users 

can have essential information for identifying the UTM coordinate equivalent of 

each USNG coordinate. A sample of at least one full UTM value should be 

shown for both an Easting and Northing values, preferably in the lower right 

corner of the map. When UTM values are shown, the principal digits are 

provided in larger type. Other grid lines should be identified using UTM 

principal digits (both the 10,000-meter and 1,000-meter UTM values) with the 

proceeding digits as superscript. Alternatively, only the principal digits for grid 

lines need be shown, but a sample full UTM value for both the Easting and 

Northing axis must be depicted at least once on the map. Annex C, Figure 6, 7, 

and 8 (pgs. 24 – 26) depicts how grid lines are labeled and 100,000-meter squares 

identified on the map and along the neatline. 

D.3.3 Grid reference box 

Maps at scales 1:500,000 and larger should provide a grid reference box with the 

content illustrated in either Figure 4 or 5 (Annex C, pgs. 21 and 22) and similarly 

configured. 

D.3.4 Map legend information. 

Map legends should contain the following information regarding the grid; 

- Size of grid squares and identify grid as US National Grid 

- Datum to which grid is referenced. 

- Grid Zone Designation data. 

- 100,000-meter Square Identification data. 

Example for maps contained within a single 100,000-meter square: 

1,000-meter grid, US National Grid 

North American Datum 1983 

Grid Zone Designation: 18S 

100,000-m Square Identification: UH 

Example for maps that cover two or more 100,000-m squares: 

1,000-meter grid, US National Grid 

North American Datum 1983 

Grid Zone Designation: 18S 

100,000-m Squares: TH, UH, TJ, UJ 

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Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex E – USNG Standardized Numbering for NAD 27 Maps 

United States National Grid 

Annex E (Informative) 

USNG Standardized Numbering for NAD 27 

36 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex E – USNG Standardized Numbering for NAD 27 Maps 

ANNEX E 

USNG Standardized Numbering for NAD 27 Maps 

Since the adoption of the NAD 83 as the U.S. national datum, there has been a sustained 

effort by federal government mapping agencies to change national maps from the NAD 

27 to the NAD 83 datum. However, a substantial percentage of maps over the U.S. 

remain on the NAD 27 datum and that situation may continue for some time. 

The U.S. National Grid (USNG) numbering scheme for the 100,000-meter squares, is 

identical to the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) scheme for 100,000-meter 

squares designed for use with the WGS 84 over U.S. areas. This same numbering 

scheme shall also be used with the NAD 27 on the Clarke 1866 ellipsoid for the USNG.

By use of one single scheme (Figure 3 – pg. 10), the Grid Zone Designation and 100,000-

meter Square Identification will be the same for NAD 83 and NAD 27 datums. The 

ONLY difference will be in the two UTM coordinates, which will be based on the 

geodetic coordinates as defined on their respective datums. 

For example, the scheme for two adjacent 1: 24,000-scale quads within the same 100,000 

meter square, e.g., FALLS CHURCH, VA-MD (NAD 83) and WASHINGTON DC 

WEST, DC-MD-VA (NAD 27), would portray the same 100,000-meter Square 

Identifications "UJ". The ONLY difference will be in the datum based UTM coordinates. 

Example - The Washington Monument (USNG): 

18S UJ 2348 0647 [NAD 83 is implied]

18S UJ 2345 0626 (NAD 27) 

37 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex F - Glossary

United States National Grid 

Annex F (Informative) 

Glossary

38 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-011-2001 

United States National Grid

Annex F - Glossary

ANNEX F (Informative) 

Glossary 

ANSI American National Standards Institute 

FGDC Federal Geographic Data Committee 

GIS Geographic Information System

GPS Global Positioning System

GZD Grid Zone Designation 

DMA Defense Mapping Agency 

ISO International Organization for Standardization 

MGRS Military Grid Reference System

NAD 27 North American Datum 1927 

NAD 83 North American Datum 1983 

NSDI National Spatial Data Infrastructure 

NIMA National Imagery and Mapping Agency 

PLSS Public Land Survey System

SPCS State Plane Coordinate System

UGRS Universal Grid Reference System

USNG United States National Grid 

UTM Universal Transverse Mercator 

WGS 84 World Geodetic System 1984 

39