What are the processing levels for Landsat Level-1 data?

The table below shows the Landsat Collections Level-1 processing levels:

**Landsat Level-1 Processing Levels**
Processing Level	Description
Terrain Precision Correction (L1TP)	Radiometrically calibrated and orthorectified using ground control points (GCPs) and digital elevation model (DEM) data to correct for relief displacement.The highest quality Level-1 products suitable for pixel-level time series analysis. GCPs used for L1TP correction are derived from the Global Land Survey 2000 (GLS2000) data set. Landsat processing DEM sources include: Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) National Elevation Dataset (NED)* Canadian Digital Elevation Data (CDED) Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) Global 30 Arc-Second Elevation Data Set (GTOPO30) Greenland Ice Mapping Project (GIMP)
Systematic Terrain Correction (L1GT)	Radiometrically calibrated with systematic geometric corrections applied using the spacecraft ephemeris data and DEM data to correct for relief displacement. Note: L1GT are the highest level of radiometric calibration and systematic correction possible for Landsat 7 and Landsat 8 scenes collected over Antarctica. The L1GT product uses the high-resolution Radarsat Antarctic Mapping Project (RAMP) Version 2 as the elevation correction source.
Geometric Systematic Correction (L1GS)	Radiometrically calibration with only systematic geometric corrections applied using the spacecraft ephemeris data.

* Layers previously referred to as NED are now branded as 3DEP seamless DEMs, part of the broader suite of products available from The National Map.

The processing level is noted in the metadata (.MTL.txt) file that is delivered with each Landsat Level-1 data product.

**Example of Landsat Level-1 data product metadata (.MTL.txt) file**
GROUP = METADATA_FILE_INFO ORIGIN = "Image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey" REQUEST_ID = "2221601291006_00001" LANDSAT_SCENE_ID = "LT50470272010279PAC01" LANDSAT_PRODUCT_ID = "LT05_L1TP_047027_20101006_20160512_01_T1" COLLECTION_NUMBER = 01 FILE_DATE = 2016-05-12T13:14:46Z STATION_ID = "PAC" PROCESSING_SOFTWARE_VERSION = "LPGS_12.8.0" DATA_CATEGORY = "NOMINAL" END_GROUP = METADATA_FILE_INFO GROUP = PRODUCT_METADATA DATA_TYPE = "L1TP" DATA_TYPE_L0RP = "TMR_LORP" ELEVATION_SOURCE _ "GLS2000" OUTPUT_FORMAT = "GEOTIFF" EPHEMERIS_TYPE = "DEFINITIVE" SPACECRAFT_ID = "LANDSAT_5" SENSOR_ID = "TM" SENSOR_MODE = "BUMPER" WRS_PATH = 047 WRS_ROW = 027 DATE_ACQUIRED = 2010-10-06 SCENE_CENTER_TIME = "18:51:52.31601902"

Updated Date: July 17, 2025

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