STANDARI

Specifications for Representation of 

Geographic Point Locations for 

Information Interchange

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 878-B
This report describes one of a series of data standards adopted and implemented by the U.S. Geological Survey for the standardization of data 

elements and representations used in automated Earth-science systems. Earth 

sciences are those scientific disciplines especially required to carry out the 

mission of the Geological Survey and are concerned with the material and 

morphology of the Earth and the physical forces relating to the Earth. These 

disciplines include geology, topography, geography, and hydrology.

The Geological Survey has assumed the leadership in developing and maintaining Earth-science data element and representation standards for use in the 

Federal establishment under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding signed 

in February 1980 by the National Bureau of Standards, Department of Commerce, 

and the Geological Survey, Department of Interior. As such, in addition to 

developing and maintaining standards, the Geological Survey reviews and 

processes all requests referred by the National Bureau of Standards for 

exceptions, deferments, and revision of standards applicable to Federal Earthscience information systems; assists the National Bureau of Standards in 

assessing the need, impact, benefits, and problems related to the implementation of standards being considered for development, or developed, for use in 

the Earth sciences; and works with other agencies in developing new data 

standards in the Earth sciences.

The standard described in this report has been specifically approved for use 

within the U.S. Geological Survey. If the standard has been approved for use 

throughout the Federal establishment, it is also published by the National 

Bureau of Standards as a Federal Information Processing Standard.

Name of Standard: Specifications for Representation of Geographic Point

Locations for Information Interchange. 

Date of Approval: April 1983 

Maintenance Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

National Mapping Division

Office of Systems and Techniques Development

525 National Center

Reston, VA 22092

Questions concerning the specifications should be addressed to the Office 

of Systems and Techniques Development which will make all necessary 

amendments to the standard.

Implementation: All Geological Survey data standards are effective 

immediately upon the date of approval. Their use is mandatory for all 

new and developing systems within the Geological Survey that utilize data 

elements and representations described by the standards. All existing 

data systems will be modified in accordance with the standards at such 

time that future redesign and modifications to the systems take place.

Additional information about Geological Survey data standards and copies of 

published standards may be obtained from: 

Data Administrator 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Information Systems Division 

115 National Center 

Reston, VA 22092 

Telephone: (703) 860-6086 

FTS 928-6086
A U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

DATA STANDARD

Specifications for Representation of 

Geographic Point Locations for 

Information Interchange

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 878-B

1983
United States Department of the Interior

JAMES G. WATT, Secretary

Geological Survey

Dallas L. Peck, Director

Free on application to Distribution Branch, Text Products Section, 

U. S. Geological Survey, 604 South Pickett Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
CONTENTS

Page

Abstract............................................................B1

1. Purpose and Scope...................................................B2

2. Specifications for Geographic Point Location Systems................B3

2.1 Representations for Latitude and Longitude.....................B3

2.1.1 Sequencing of latitude and longitude....................B3

2.1.2 Use of Separators.......................................B3

2.1.3 Representation of degrees...............................B3

2.1.3.1 Latitude.......................................B4

2.1.3.2 Longitude......................................B4

2.1.4 Representation of minutes...............................B4

2.1.5 Representation of seconds...............................B4

2.1.6 Representation of radians...............................B4

2.1.6.1 Latitude.......................................B4

2.1.6.2 Longitude......................................B4

2.1.7 Representation of hemispheric information...............B4

2.1.7.1 Alternate representation of hemispheric

information..........................................B5

2.1.8 Precision...............................................B5

2.1.8.1 Maximum precision.............................. B6

2.2 Representation for Universal Transverse Mercator System (UTM)......B6

2.2.1 Sequencing of UTM and hemisphere codes..................B7

2.2.2 Precision...............................................B7

2.2.3 Use of separators.......................................B7

2.3 Representations for State Plane Coordinate Systems.................B8

2.3*1 Jurisdictional representation...........................B9

2.3*2 Zone representation.....................................B9

2.3.2.1 One or two character representation............B9

2.3.2.2 Four character representation..................B9

2.3.3 Sequencing of X coordinates and Y coordinates...........B10

2.3.4 Use of separators.......................................B10

2.3*5 X coordinate representation.............................B10

2.3*6 Y coordinate representation.............................B11

2.3.7 Examples of SPCS representation........................*B11

2.3*8 Z coordinate representation.............................B11

2.3*9 Conversion computations.................................B11

3* Specifications for Altitude Data (Optional).........................B12

3*1 General........................................................B12

3.2 Representation of altitude.....................................B12

3*2.1 Precision...............................................B12

3*2.2 Altitude data...........................................B12

3*2.3 Unit of measurement.....................................B12

III
Page

3.2.4 Representation of numbers...............................B12

3.2.5 Sequencing of data......................................B13

3.2.6 Examples of altitude data using feet as the

optional unit of measure.............................B13

3.2.7 Examples of altitude data with point coordinate data....B13 

Selected references..................................................B14

TABLES

Page 

Table 1. Universal Transverse Mercator Zone Locations and

Central Meridians..............................................617

2. Zone Representation Codes...................................... 618

3* Jurisdictions and State Plane Coordinate Systems...............619

4. Jurisdictions, State Plane Coordinate Systems, and

Alternate Zone Representations.................................621

IV
Specifications for

Representation of Geographic Point Locations 

for Information Interchange

Abstract

This standard establishes uniform formats for geographic point location 

data. Geographic point location refers to the use of a coordinate system 

to define the position of a point that may be on, above, or below the 

Earth's surface. It provides a means for representing these data in 

digital form for the purpose of interchanging information among data 

systems and improving clarity and accuracy of interpersonal communications.

This document is an expansion and clarification of National Bureau of 

Standards FIPS PUB 70, issued October 24, 1980. There are minor editorial 

changes, plus the following additions and modifications:

(1) The representation of latitude and longitude using radian 

measure was added.

(2) Alternate 2 for Representation of Hemispheric Information was 

deleted.

(3) Use of the maximum precision for all numerical values was 

emphasized. The Alternate Representation of Precision was deleted.

(4) The length of the zone representation for the State Plane 

Coordinate System was standardized.

(5) The term altitude was substituted for elevation throughout to 

conform with international usage.

(6) Section 3, Specifications for Altitude Data, was expanded and 

upgraded significantly to the same level of detail as for the 

horizontal values.

(7) A table delineating the coverage of Universal Transverse 

Mercator zones and the longitudes of the Central Meridians was added 

and the other tables renumbered.

(8) The total length of the representation of point location data at 

maximum precision was standardized.

B1
1. Purpose and Scope

Geographic point location refers to the use of a coordinate system to 

define the position of a point that may be on, above, or below the Earth's 

surface.

This standard is designed to establish uniform formats for geographic 

point location data. It provides a means for representing these data in 

digital form for the purpose of interchanging information among data 

systems and for improving clarity and accuracy in interpersonal communications.

Specifically, this standard is intended to:

(1) Provide for uniform representation of geographic point location data.

(2) Minimize the amount of human intervention required for communicating 

geographic point location data.

(3) Reduce the time required to format and transmit the elements of 

geographic point location data.

There are many systems available for indicating point locations. This 

standard is applicable only to the three most widely used in the United 

States: Latitude and Longitude, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) 

System, and State Plane Coordinate Systems (SPCS). These systems are 

mathematically interconvertible and are also officially recognized by the 

many surveying and mapping agencies of Federal and State governments. 

This standard does not provide a methodology for use of the three systems 

covered, nor does it recommend any particular system.

This standard applies to uniquely identified locations and does not 

necessarily apply to a series of coordinates at small intervals, such as 

digital cartographic data used to represent linear map features, terrain 

profiles, or elevation models.

Use of altitude data is not required for defining points on the Earth's 

surface. However, for defining points either above or below the Earth's 

surface or for describing the topography, altitude is required. Therefore, specifications for altitude data are provided as an optional feature 

of this standard. For consistency with international usage, the word 

altitude is used in preference to elevation.

Determination of specific geographic point location information is the 

user's responsibility, as is the accuracy and reliability of the information. This standard does not prescribe file sequences, storage media, 

programming languages, or other features of information processing to be 

used in its implementation.

A list of references is provided in section 4 for detailed information on 

the methodology, techniques, and applications of the three systems.

B2
2. Specifications for Geographic Point Location Systems

2.1 Representations for Latitude and Longitude. Latitude and 

longitude are coordinate representations that show locations on the 

surface of the Earth using the Earth's Equator and the prime meridian 

(Greenwich, England) as the respective latitudinal and longitudinal 

origins.

Although there are applications in which only latitude or longitude needs 

to be recorded, both are usually stated. The sequencing of latitude and 

longitude then becomes important and is addressed in this standard. 

Because latitude and longitude are angular quantities, they are expressed 

in degrees, minutes, and seconds, or, optionally, in radians. The 

standard provides for the representation of latitude and longitude in 

decimal fractions of degrees, minutes, seconds, or radians. The designation of the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Hemispheres is also 

treated.

2.1.1 Sequencing of Latitude and Longitude. Latitude shall be 

given first to the left when inscribed with longitude on one line, or 

above when latitude and longitude are given vertically in relationship to 

each other. Sequencing shall be from high order to low order (left-toright direction) in expressing degrees, minutes, and seconds in either 

latitude or longitude. When a decimal fraction of a degree is used, 

neither minutes nor seconds may be expressed; similarly, when a decimal 

fraction of a minute is used, no seconds may be expressed.

2.1.2 Use of Separators. Separators are permissible to enhance 

understanding of the contents of data files. When separators are used, 

the following guidelines are to be followed.

(1) Separators between latitude and longitude: latitude shall be 

separated from longitude by either a comma or a blank. No other 

symbol shall be used as a separator between these items.

(2) Separators between elements within latitude or longitude: no 

separators shall be used other than the decimal point, as specified 

in sections 2.1.3* 2.1.4, 2.1.5, and 2.1.6.

It is recognized that degrees, minutes, and seconds are conventionally 

denoted and separated by using superscripts. For this standard, such 

designations have not been included as permissible primarily because many 

data processing machines cannot recognize or reproduce the conventional 

superscripts.

2.1.3 Representation of Degrees. For both latitude and 

longitude, when a decimal fraction of a degree is specified, it shall be 

separated from the whole number of degrees by a decimal point and 

expressed numerically to the number of places required by the desired 

precision.

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2.1.3.1 Latitude. The degrees of latitude shall be 

represented by a decimal number ranging from 0 through 90. For all 

values, leading zeros and (or) blanks shall be given (for example, 001, 

b15, or bb3, where b represents a blank or space).

2.1.3.2 Longitude. The degrees of longitude shall be 

represented by a decimal number ranging from 0 through 180. For values 

less than 100, leading zero(s) and (or) blanks shall be given (for 

example, 001, 027, bl8, or bb3).

2.1.4 Representation of Minutes. For both latitude and longitude, the minutes shall be represented by a two-digit decimal number 

ranging from 00 through 59. For values less than 10, a leading zero shall 

be given. When a location is indicated by degrees, minutes, and decimal 

fractions of a minute, the decimal fraction shall be separated from the 

whole number of minutes by a decimal point and expressed numerically to 

the number of places required by the desired precision.

2.1.5 Representation of Seconds. For both latitude and longitude, seconds shall be represented by a two-digit decimal number ranging 

from 00 through 59* For values less than 10, a leading zero shall be 

given. When a location is indicated by degrees, minutes, seconds, and 

decimal fractions of a second, the decimal fraction shall be separated 

from the whole number of seconds by a decimal point and expressed 

numerically to the number of places required by the desired precision.

2.1.6 Representation of Radians. Another way of representing 

latitude and longitude is by converting degrees to radians. One degree is 

equal to 0.01745 32925 19943 radians.

2.1.6.1 Latitude. Radians of latitude shall be expressed 

as a one digit number (0 or 1) followed by a decimal fraction. The 

maximum value of latitude in radians should not exceed one-half PI or 

1.57079 63268. See section 2.1.8 for a discussion of the necessary 

precision.

2.1.6.2 Longitude. Radians of longitude shall be expressed as a one digit number (0, 1, 2, or 3) followed by a decimal 

fraction. The maximum value of longitude should not exceed PI or 3*14159 

26536. See section 2.1.8 for a discussion of the necessary precision.

2.1.7 Representation of Hemispheric Information. Two methods 

of representing the hemisphere are permitted. If the alternate representation, as described in section 2.1.7.1, is used, that information must 

be included in the documentation accompanying the interchange.

With the exception of radian values, latitudes north of the Equator may be 

specified by an uppercase "N" immediately following the last digit for 

latitude. Latitudes south of the Equator may be designated by an uppercase "S" immediately following the last digit for latitude. A point on 

the Equator shall be assigned to the Northern Hemisphere.

B4
With the exception of radian values, longitudes east of the prime meridian 

may be specified by an uppercase "E" immediately following the last digit 

for longitude. Longitudes west of the prime meridian may be designated by 

an uppercase "W" immediately following the last digit for longitude. A 

point on the prime meridian shall be assigned to the Eastern Hemisphere. 

A point on the 180th meridian shall be assigned to the Western Hemisphere.

All radian values shall use the alternate representation following.

2.1.7*1 Alternate Representation of Hemispheric Information. Latitudes north of the Equator may be specified by a plus sign (+) 

immediately preceding the digits designating degrees. Latitudes south of 

the Equator may be designated by a minus sign (-) preceding the digits 

designating degrees. A point on the Equator shall be assigned to the 

Northern Hemisphere. Longitudes east of the prime meridian may be 

specified by a plus sign (+) immediately preceding the digits designating 

degrees of longitude. Longitudes west of the meridian may be designated 

by a minus sign (-) preceding the digits designating degrees. A point on 

the prime meridian shall be assigned to the Eastern Hemisphere. A point 

on the 180th meridian shall be assigned to the Western Hemisphere.

2.1.8 Precision. A point can be represented at various levels 

of precision, as illustrated in the numbered examples below. (Separation 

is shown by using a comma, with the understanding that a space [blank] 

could have been used instead of a comma.) The number of digits does not 

necessarily imply precision.

(1) Degrees and decimal fractions of a degree:

040.20364N,075.00420W or +040.20364,-075.00420

(2) Degrees and minutes:

04012N,07500W or +04012,-07500

(3) Degrees, minutes, and decimal fractions of a minute: 

04012.22N,07500.25W +b4012.22,-b7500.25

(4) Degrees, minutes, and seconds:

0401213N,0750015W +b401213,-b75015

(5) Degrees, minutes, seconds and decimal fractions of a second: 

0401213.1N,0750015.1W +b401213-1,-b750015.1

(6) Radians:

+0.7017,-1.3091

B5
2.1.8.1 Maximum Precision. For longitude at the Equator, 

and for latitude anywhere on the Earth, the location of a point to the 

level of precision of 0.01 foot (0.003 meter) on the face of the Earth 

corresponds approximately to angular values (on a great circle) of 

0.00000000048 radian, 0.000000028 degree, 0.000001? minute, or 0.00010 

second. This accuracy is the preferred representation and is accomplished 

by use of the maximum precision in this standard.

Using these values, the preceding examples of latitude and longitude at 

this level of precision are as follow:

(1) Degrees and decimal fractions of a degree:

040.20364255N,075.00420039W +b40.20364255,-b75.00420039 

(3) Degrees, minutes and decimal fractions of a minute:

04012.218553N,07500.252023W +b4012.218553,-b7500.252023

(5) Degrees, minutes, seconds, and decimal fractions of a second: 

0401213.1132N,0750015.1214W +b401213.1132,-b750015.1214

(6) Radians:

+0.7016859338,-1.3090702496

The number of decimal places to which any representation of latitude or is 

carried must, of course, depend on the user's requirements, the accuracy 

of measuring instruments, and similar factors.

2.2 Representation for Universal Transverse Mercator System (UTM). 

The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) System provides rectangular 

coordinates that may be used to indicate locations of points on the 

surface of the Earth. The unit of measure is the meter. A point is 

located by specifying a hemispheric indicator, a zone number, an easting 

value, and a northing value.

UTM is designed for world use between 80 degrees south latitude and 84 

degrees north latitude. The globe is divided into narrow zones, 6 degrees 

of longitude in width, starting at the 180 degree meridian of longitude 

and progressing eastward. The zones are numbered 1 through 60. Each zone 

has, as its east and west limits, a meridian of longitude. Each zone also 

has a central meridian passing through the center of the zone. Table 1 

demonstrates the coverage and central meridian of each zone.

A value of 500,000 meters is assigned to the central meridian of each zone 

to avoid negative numbers at the west edge of the zone. The values 

increase toward the east. For north-south values in the Northern Hemisphere, the Equator is assigned 0 meters, and the numbers increase toward 

the North Pole. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Equator is assigned 

10,000,000 meters, and the numbers decrease toward the South Pole.

B6
The location of any point within a zone is given in relation to the 

central meridian within that zone and the Equator. The zone system yields 

positive values for the identification of a point on the Earth's surface 

by first assigning numeric values to the Equator and to the central 

meridian. Then, a point's north-south location is obtained by either 

adding or subtracting the point's distance north or south of the Equator. 

Similarly, a point's east-west location is obtained by either adding or 

subtracting the point's distance east or west of the central meridian.

A point on the Equator, if not otherwise specified, is assigned a default 

value of zero for its northing and is treated as if it were in the 

Northern Hemisphere. The default zone assignment for a point on a 

boundary meridian is the number for the zone to the east of the point.

Specification of the ellipsoid used for the UTM projection depends on the 

portion of the Earth's surface being referenced. No provision is made 

within this standard to define ellipsoid codes or parameters. This 

information must be communicated within the documentation accompanying the 

data interchange.

2.2.1 Sequencing of UTM and Hemisphere Codes. The first item 

of information shall be a code to indicate the hemisphere in which the 

point is located. A plus sign (+) shall be used to indicate the Northern 

Hemisphere, and a minus sign (-) to indicate the Southern Hemisphere. The 

second item of information shall be zone number indicating the six-degree 

longitudinal band in which the point is located (01, 02,...60). The third 

item of information shall be the easting in meters. The last item of 

information shall be the northing in meters.

2.2.2 Precision. In order to provide the precision equivalent 

to that used with the Latitude and Longitude and State Plane Coordinate 

Systems, UTM shall be recorded to three decimal places. Leading zeros or 

blanks shall be used in numbers with fewer digits than the permissible 

maximum.

2.2.3 Use of Separators. Optional separators are permissible 

to enhance understanding of the contents of data files. When separators 

are used, the following guidelines shall be followed:

(1) Separators between hemisphere code and zone number: the hemisphere 

code shall not be separated from the zone number.

(2) Separators between zone number and easting value: the zone number 

shall be separated from the easting value by a comma or a blank.

(3) Separators between elements of UTM measurements: the easting value 

shall be separated from the northing value by a comma or a blank.

B7
(4) Separators for precision: for both easting and northing values, when 

a decimal fraction of a meter is specified, it shall be separated 

from the unit value by a decimal point followed by as many as three 

digits to provide the necessary precision. The following are 

examples of the use of UTM positional information:

+18,0520381.516,3684572.632 -18, 520381.516,6315427-368

The above examples illustrate two points within the same zone that are 

equidistant from the Equator one in the Northern Hemisphere and one in 

the Southern Hemisphere.

Examples of UTM geographic point location codes. The b represents a 

blank space.

Alaska:

+05,b426453-47316596814.917 

+05,0426453-473,6596814.917

Point on the Equator in Colombia, South America:

+18,0593681.510,0000000.000

A point one millimeter south of the one designated immediately above:

-18,0593681.510,9999999.999

2.3 Representations for State Plane Coordinate Systems. The State 

Plane Coordinate Systems (SPCS) are designed to define the locations of 

points within a geographic grid system. Similar systems were used in the 

19th century and the first formal use was in 1932. There are now State 

Plane Coordinate Systems in use in each of the 50 United States, as well 

as in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American 

Samoa, and Guam. The District of Columbia is included with the State of 

Maryland. State Plane Coordinate Systems represent separate, distinct 

systems for the political jurisdictions involved, as opposed to the 

universally applicable Latitude and Longitude (see section 2.1) and 

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) systems (see section 2.2).

Nine States, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and Guam are covered individually by one State Plane Coordinate System or projection. The nine 

states are: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, 

North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Vermont. The remaining 41 

States and the Virgin Islands are covered individually by from two to ten 

SPCS projection zones. These systems fall into three general categories, 

based upon the conformal mapping projection methods utilized.

(1) the Lambert Projection;

B8
(2) the Transverse Mercator (TM) Projection (not to be confused with the 

UTM);

(3) the Oblique Mercator Projection in southeastern Alaska.

A zone may be defined in one of three ways. In each of these three 

methods, an arbitrary point of origin in latitude and longitude is one 

element of the definition of the zone. The other element of definition 

varies with the conformal mapping projection system used in the zone:

(1) Lambert Projection two standard parallels of latitude bounding the 

zone;

(2) Transverse Mercator Projection one central (longitudinal) meridian 

at a designated longitude;

(3) Alaska Oblique Mercator Projection as defined in detailed Alaska 

State Plane Coordinate System specifications. See section 4.

The arbitrary point of origin for each zone is typically located outside 

the geographic area it covers. This is designed to meet the objective 

that no coordinate may have a negative value.

2.3.1 Jurisdictional Representation. This representation 

identifies the 50 States that comprise the United States, as well as the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and 

Guam. There are two alternative methods for representation of jurisdictions: a two-character abbreviation and a two-digit numeric code. 

These representations can be found in table 4 and are derived from FIPS 

PUB 5-1, "States and Outlying Areas of the United States (including the 

District of Columbia)." This representation is not used when the four 

character zone representation is used (see 2.3*2.2).

2.3.2 Zone Representation. This representation uniquely 

identifies each of the zones or State Plane Coordinate Systems found 

within a jurisdiction as represented in accordance with section 2.3*1* 

Two methods are provided.

2.3*2.1 One or Two Character Representation. The first 

method for zone or SPCS representation provides for a left-justified code 

of one or two characters which may be alphabetic or numeric. This code 

will accommodate all zones in the jurisdictions using SPCS; it is mnemonic 

and is based on standard, common nomenclature used in the jurisdictions to 

indicate specific zones. Table 2 shows this code; a wb w represents a 

blank (space) in the individual code entry. Table 3 is a summary listing 

of representations for the State Plane Coordinate Systems and zones within 

all jurisdictions.

2.3.2.2 Four Character Representation. In this representation, each of the zones or SPCS in each jurisdiction is uniquely 

identified by a four character numeric code. Table 4 is a summary listing

B9
of the alternate representations for State Plane Coordinate Systems and 

zone codes within all jurisdictions. This representation uniquely 

identifies the jurisdiction as well as the zone.

2.3.3 Sequencing of X Coordinates and Y Coordinates. The X 

coordinate f which is the east-west location indicator, shall precede (be 

to the left of when on one line and be above when shown vertically) the Y 

coordinate f which is the north-south location indicator.

2.3.4 Use of Separators. Separators are permissible to enhance 

understanding of the contents of data files. When separators are used, 

the following guidelines shall be followed.

When a choice is indicated between a pair of separator symbols, one symbol 

alone shall be chosen, so that the same symbol is used as a separator 

between every field in a record where a separator is used. This is 

intended to facilitate data interchange. The items described in sections 

2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.3-5, and 2.3.6 shall be used in left-to-right sequence.

(1) Separator between jurisdictional representation (2.3-1) and the one 

or two character zone representation (2.3.2): a single comma or 

blank shall be used. If the four character representation is chosen, 

it is preceded by a blank.

(2) Separator between zone representation (2.3*2) and X coordinate 

representation (2.3.5): a single comma or blank shall be used.

(3) Separator between X coordinate representation (2.3.5) and Y 

coordinate representation (2.3.6): a single comma or blank shall be 

used.

2.3.5 X Coordinate Representation. Three methods are available 

for the designation of this east-west location indicator: (1) the 

Lambert Projection, (2) the Transverse Hercator Projection, and (3) the 

Oblique Mercator Projection used in Alaska.

For each of these three methods, the precision requirements shall be the 

same as those for the Latitude and Longitude (section 2.1) and Universal 

Transverse Mercator (section 2.2) systems. This shall be at the maximum 

level of precision of 0.01 foot (0.003 meter).

The notation for an X coordinate in an existing SPCS may be expressed by a 

number of the general magnitude of NNNNNNN.NN. This will suffice for a 

range of X of not less than 0.01 foot and not more than 9,999,999.99 feet 

and is considered to be appropriate for this standard.

As many digits as are required may be used for purposes of internal 

processing and storage of X coordinate data. For interchange purposes, 

the following conventions shall apply to the X coordinate representation.

(1) Leading zeros or blanks shall be used in numbers with fewer digits 

than the permissible maximum.

B10
(2) Where a decimal fraction is used, it shall be one or two positions in 

length, as required (for example, .1, .15).

(3) Where a decimal fraction is not used, the X coordinate shall be not 

less than 0000001 foot, and not more than 9999999 feet.

Therefore, for interchange purposes, the maximum sized coordinate shall 

consist of seven high-order decimal digits, that is, NNNNNNN.NN.

2.3.6 Y Coordinate Representation. The requirements for this 

coordinate shall be the same as those set forth in section 2.3*5 for X 

coordinate representation.

2.3.7 Examples of SPCS Representation. The b represents a 

blank space.

A point in the Virginia North zone:

VA,Nb,2178364.86,0408632.16 

b4501,2178364.86,0408632.16 

51,Nb,2178364.86,0408632.16

A point in the Wyoming West Central zone:

WY,WC,0496132.81,3467187.28 

b4901,0496132.81,3467187.28 

56,WC,0496132.81,3467187.28

2.3.8 Z Coordinate Representation. The altitude coordinate is 

utilized in some applications, although it is not part of an official 

SPCS. See section 3 for formatting of altitude data.

2.3.9 Conversion Computations. Publications containing 

projection tables for the State Plane Coordinate Systems are available to 

assist with conversion computations. These are listed in section 4.

B11
3. Specifications for Altitude Data (Optional)

3.1 General. Altitude of a point, as used in this standard, is 

defined as the vertical distance in meters either above or below a 

reference surface. In the United States, this reference surface is the 

National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929, which approximates mean sea 

level.

If altitude data are included in the representation of the point, those 

data shall follow the geographic data. They shall be separated by a comma 

or blank, whichever is used for the geographic portion.

3.2 Representation of Altitude.

3.2.1 Precision. Representation of altitude may or may not 

contain a decimal point. If a representation for an altitude contains a 

decimal point, the number of places after the decimal point should reflect 

the inherent precision of the measurement. The number of digits in an 

integer does not necessarily imply precision.

3*2.2 Altitude Data. All altitude measurements shall include a 

character specifying sign. All altitude measurements below the reference 

datum shall be designated by a minus sign (-) preceding the number. 

Measurements at or above the reference datum may be designated by a blank 

or a plus sign (+), but usage should be consistent throughout a set of 

data.

3*2.3 Unit of Measurement. When the point data are given in 

the State Plane Coordinate System, feet are used as the unit measure. 

Otherwise, the meter is assumed to be the unit measure and the use of feet 

is optional. When feet are used optionally, this information will be 

specified in the documentation associated with the interchange.

3*2.4 Representation of Numbers. The representation for 

maximum precision in meters will consist of four (optionally five for 

ocean subsurface data) digits before the decimal point and three digits 

after the decimal point for a total of nine (optionally ten) characters 

including the character for the sign. The representation for maximum 

precision in feet will consist of five digits before the decimal point and 

two digits after the decimal point for a total of nine characters 

including the character for the sign. Leading zeros are required for use 

in numbers that are less than the prescribed maximum number of digits when 

the maximum precision is specified.

The following are examples of altitude data (b represents a blank space):

Less than maximum precision: +45

-130 

b200 

b10.5

B12
Maximum precision: +0132.417

-2067.008 

b1054.020

3.2.5 Sequencing of Data. When present, the altitude data 

shall follow and be separated from the geographic coordinate data by 

either a comma or a blank, whichever is used within the geographic 

coordinate data or shall be shown below when displayed vertically.

3.2.6 Examples of Altitude Data Using Feet as the Optional 

Unit of Measure. The b represents a blank space.

Less than maximum precision: +125

-390 

31625 

31.5

Maximum precision: +13396.22

-16201.02 

b13152.07

3.2.7 Examples of Altitude Data with Point Coordinate Data. 

The b represents a blank space.

0352215.2417N,0800000.1234W,+1000.467 

+0352215.24l7b-0800000.1234bb1000.467 

WY,WC,0496132.81,3467187.28,+06172.53 

+05,b426453.473,6596814.917,blOOO.467 

+b435698.2402,-1031213-5568,+bb45.663

B13
4. Selected References

Claire, C. N., 1968, State plane coordinates by automatic data processing: 

Coast and Geodetic Survey Publication No. 62-4.

Mitchell, H. C. and Lansing, G. S., 1945, The state coordinate systems (a 

manual for surveyors): Coast and Geodetic Survey Special Publication No. 

235.

Morgan, C. 0. and McNellis, J. M., 1969, FORTRAN IV Program KANS, for the 

conversion of general land office locations to latitude and longitude 

coordinates: Lawrence; University of Kansas; State Geological Survey 

Special Distribution Publication No. 42.

Renshaw, R. W., 1972, Geo-references-language of geobase systems: 

Presented at URISA Conference, San Francisco, California, August 29- 

September 2, 1972.

U.S. Department of the Army, 1958, Universal Transverse Mercator grid: 

Technical Report TR 5-241-8.

U.S. Department of Commerce, 1973* Geographic base file system; 

correction-update-extension: Bureau of the Census Procedural Manual for 

the review and correction of the addresses range edit (ADDEDIT) Listing 

(GEO-MT 502).

B14
4. Selected References continued

List of publications necessary for conversion 

computations on the State Plane Coordinate Systems

Coast and Geodetic Publication

Survey Special Title

Publication Number_____________________________________

304 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Alabama

65-1 Plane Coordinate Intersection Tables Alaska

257 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Arizona

289 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Arkansas

253 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables California

276 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Colorado

266 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Connecticut

305 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Delaware

255 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Florida

322 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Georgia

302 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Hawaiian Islands

306 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Idaho

303 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Illinois

259 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Indiana

284 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Iowa

285 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Kansas

290 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Kentucky

291 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Louisiana (Revised)

256 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Maine

292 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Maryland (includes D.C.)

274 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Massachusetts

65-3 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Michigan

264 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Minnesota

321 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Mississippi

319 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Missouri

261 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Montana

286 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Nebraska

318 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Nevada

317 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables New Hampshire

316 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables New Jersey

324 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables New Mexico

323 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables New York

272 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables North Carolina

262 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables North Dakota

269 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Ohio

287 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Oklahoma

270 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Oregon

267 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Pennsylvania

G-59 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Philippine Islands

65-2 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Puerto Rico and Virgin Is.

315 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Rhode Island

273 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables South Carolina

263 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables South Dakota

	B15
4. Selected References continued

List of publications necessary for conversion 

computations on the State Plane Coordinate Systems

Coast and Geodetic Publication

Survey Special Title

Publication Number____________________________

268 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Tennessee

252 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Texas

277 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Utah

314 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Vermont

293 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Virginia

271 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Washington

275 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables West Virginia

288 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Wisconsin

258 Plane Coordinate Projection Tables Vfyoming

B16
Table 1 Universal Transverse Mercator Zone Locations and Central 

Meridians

Zone

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

C.M.

177W

171W

165W

159W

153W

147W

141W

135W

129W

123W

117W

111W

105W

099W

093W

087W

081W

07 5W

069W

06 3W

057W

051W

045W

03 9W

033W

027W

021W

015W

009W

003W

Range

180W-174W

174W-168W

168W-162W

162W-156W

156W-150W

150W-144W

144W-138W

138W-132W

132W-126W

126W-120W

120W-114W

114W-108W

108W-102W

102W-096W

096W-090W

090W-084W

084W-078W

078W-072W

072W-066W

066W-060W

060W-054W

054W-048W

048W-042W

042W-036W

036W-030W

030W-024W

024W-018W

018W-012W

012W-006W

006W-OOOE

Zone

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

C.M.

003E

009E

015E

021E

027E

033E

039E

045E

051E

057E

063E

06 9E

075E

081E

087E

093E

099E

105E

HIE

117E

123E

129E

135E

141E

147E

153E

159E

165E

171E

177E

Range

OOOE-006E

006B-012E

012E-018E

018E-024E

024E-030E

030B-036E

036E-042E

042B-048E

048E-054E

054EK060E

060&-066E

066B-072E

072E-078E

078E-084E

084E-090E

090EK096E

096E-102E

102B-108E

108E-114E

114B-120E

120E-126E

126B-132E

132B-138E

138EKL44E

144E-150E

150EK156E

156E-162E

162EK168E

168E-174E

174B-180W

B17
Table 2 Zone Representation Codes

Code(s)

SPCS/Zone 

Represented Jurisdiction(s) Concerned

bb

SH 

Mb 

Ib 

CM

IJD

NC 

SC 

EC 

WC 

Eb 

Sb 

Wb 

Nb 

Cb 

01-10

Zl 

SX

Single zone in

a state 

Offshore 

Mainland 

Island 

Central (TM) 

Long Island 

North Central 

South Central 

East Central 

West Central 

East 

South 

West 

North 

Central 

Numerically

designated

zones

Zone 1 

Zone 2

Nine States, which have only one SPCS/zone

American Samoa, Guam 

Louisiana

Massachusetts (one of two zones) 

Massachusetts (one of two zones) 

Michigan See note 4. 

New York (one of four zones) 

Texas (one of five zones) 

Texas (one of five zones) 

Vfyoming (one of four zones) See notes 1 

Wyoming (one of four zones) and 2. 

Many (see table 4) 

Many (see table 4) 

Many (see table 4) 

Many (see table 4) 

Many (see table 4) 

For the following States, as shown:

Alaska 01 through 10

California 01 through 07

Hawaii 01 through 05

Wyoming 01 through 04

See notes 1 and 2.

Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands (St. John, 

St. Thomas) See note 3. 

Virgin Islands (St. Croix) See note 3.

NOTES:

(1) Wyoming is shown with two designations; it is shown in table 3 in 

the same fashion. It is the only State with both alphabetic and 

numeric official zone designations.

(2) The codes indicated in sections 23.1 and 233. shall be applied to 

the zones indicated in table 3. For Wyoming only, the numeric zone 

designations or the alphabetic zone designations are expected to be 

used separately, without intermixing of codes.

(3) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Territory of the U.S. 

Virgin Islands share one zone, except for the island of St. Croix 

which is a second, separate zone.

(4) Although three Transverse Mercator zones were originally devised 

for Michigan by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, the State has 

mandated use of Lambert zones devised by Prof. R. M. Berry of the 

University of Michigan. The Lambert zones are designed for a 

special spheroid that, although related to the Clarke Spheroid of 

1866, is a reference surface above that spheroid. Use of the 

Lambert zones has supplanted use of the Mercator.

B18
Table 3 Jurisdictions and State Plane Coordinate Systems

Abbrev Num.

Jurisdictions

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

AL

AK

AZ

AR

CA

GO

CT

DE

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

FL

GA

HI

3D

IL

IN

IA

KS

K¥

LA

ME

MD

MA

MI

MN

MS

MD

MT

NE

NV

NH

NJ

NM

NY

NC

ND

CH

OK

OR

PA

RI

SC

SD

IN

IX

UT

VT

VA

WA

Code

01

02

04

05

06

08

09

10

ESWNCCESWNMIZ SLS

MCCCC IX H

A

x-x-x-----------

-x-x------------

_Y_YY _______

Blank

(One)

_

-

-

-

-

-

X

X

Num.

01-10

 

 

01-07

 

 

 

(See Maryland)

12

13

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

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

53

x-xx------------

x-x-------------

X Y A Y A

_____ 

x-x-------------

x-x-------------

Y_Y _ _____

-x-x------------

-x-x------------

-X-X-----------X

x-x-------------

__________xx----

xxxxxx----------

-x-xx-----------

x-x-------------

x-xx------------

-x-xx-----------

x-x-x-----------

x-x-x-----------

X-X-X---------X-

-x-x------------

-x-x------------

-x-x------------

-x-x------------

-x-x------------

-x-x------------

-x-x------------

Y_YY Y Y _ _ A A A A A

-x-xx-----------

-x-x------------

-x-x------------

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

X

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

X

X

-

-

X

-

-

-

-

-

X

-

-

X

-

-

X

-

 

 

01-05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B19
Table 3 Jurisdictions and State Plane Coordinate Systems continued

Jurisdictions

West Virginia 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming 

Anerican Samoa 

Guam 

Puerto Rico ** 

Virgin Islands

Abbrev

W 

WI 

W 

AS 

GU 

PR 

VI

Num. 

Code

54 

55 

56 

60 

66 

72 

78

ESWNCCESWNMIZS 

M C C C C IX

AA

A A A

A A A

L S Blank 

H (One)

_ _ _

Num.

01-04

** See note 3, table 2.

B20
Table 4 Jurisdictions, State Plane Coordinate Systems, 

and Alternate Zone Representations

Jurisdiction 

Zone name or number

Alabama

East

West

Alaska

01 through 10

Arizona

East

Central

West

Arkansas

North

South

California

01 through 07

Colorado

North

Central

South

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

East

West

North

Georgia

East

West

Hawaii

01 through 05

Idaho

East

Central

West

Illinois

East

West

Indiana

East

West

Iowa

North

South

Kansas

North

South

Abbrev Numeric 

Code

AL

AK

AZ

AR

CA

GO

CT

DE

(See Maryland)

FL

GA

HI

3D

IL

IN

IA

KS

01

02

04

05

06

08

09

10

12

13

15

16

17

18

19

20

Zone Code

0101

0102

5001 through 5010

0201

0202

0203

0301

0302

0401 through 0407

0501

0502

0503

0600

0700

0901

0902

0903

1001

1002

5101 through 5105

1101

1102

1103

1201

1202

1301

1302

1401

1402

1501

1502

B21
Table 4 Jurisdictions, State Plane Coordinate Systems,

ana Airerrerce zone Kepresencaucns continued

Jurisdiction 

Zone name or number

Kentucky

North

South

Louisiana

North

South

Offshore

Maine

East

West

Maryland

Massachusetts

Mainland

Island

Michigan

East

Central (Transverse

West

North

Central (Lambert)

South

Minnesota

North

Central

South

Mississippi

East

West

Missouri

East

Central

West

Montana

North

Central

South

Nebraska

North

South

Nevada

East

Central

West

New Hampshire

New Jersey

Abbrev

KY

LA

ME

MD

MA

MI

Mercator)

MN

MS

MO

MT

NE

NV

NH

NJ

Numeric 

Code

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

Zone Code

1601

1602

1701

1702

1703

1801

1802

1900

2001

2002

2101

2102

2103

2111

2112

2113

2201

2202

2203

2301

2302

2401

2402

2403

2501

2502

2503

2601

2602

2701

2702

2703

2800

2900

B22
Table 4 Jurisdictions, State Plane Coordinate Systems, 

and Alternate Zone Representations continued

Jurisdiction 

Zone name or number

New Mexico

East

Central

West

New York

East

Central

West

Long Island

North Carolina

North Dakota

North

South

Ohio

North

South

Oklahoma

North

South

Oregon

North

South

Pennsylvania

North

South

Rhode Island

South Carolina

North

South

South Dakota

North

South

Tennessee

Texas

North

North Central

Central

South Central

South

Utah

North

Central

South

Vermont

Abbrev

NM

NY

NC

ND

OH

OK

OR

PA

RI

SC

SD

ON

TX

UT

VT

Numeric 

Code

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

Zone Code

3001

3002

3003

3101

3102

3103

3104

3200

3301

3302

3401

3402

3501

3502

3601

3602

3701

3702

3800

3901

3902

4001

4002

4100

4201

4202

4203

4204

4205

4301

4302

4303

4400

B23
Table 4 Jurisdictions, State Plane Coordinate systems, 

and Alternate Zone Representations continued

Jurisdiction 

Zone name or number

Virginia

North

South

Washington

North

South

West Virginia

North

South

Wisconsin

North

Central

South

Wyoming

East (01)

East Central (02)

West Central (03)

West (04)

Puerto Rico

Virgin Islands

St. John, St. Thomas

St. Croix

American Samoa

Guam

Abbrev

VA

WA

WV

WI

wy

PR

VI

AS

QJ

Numeric 

Code

51

53

54

55

56

72

78

60

66

Zone Code

4501

4502

4601

4602

4701

4702

4801

4802

4803

4901

4902

4903

4904

5201

5201

5202

5300

5400

6U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1983-381-614/548

B24