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What does the term UTM mean? Is UTM better or more accurate than latitude/longitude?

UTM is the acronym for Universal Transverse Mercator, a plane coordinate grid system named for the map projection on which it is based (Transverse Mercator). The UTM system consists of 60 zones, each 6-degrees of longitude in width. The zones are numbered 1-60, beginning at 180-degrees longitude and increasing to the east. The military uses their own implementation of the UTM system, called the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS).

One system is no more or less accurate than the other. They are just two different ways of positioning a point. Many experienced users prefer UTM over latitude/longitude when using 7.5' topographic quadrangle maps. Ocean-going sailors and other marine users almost always use latitude/longitude because navigation charts are optimized for this method.

Learn more: The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid

Map of the lower 48 states with vertical lines superimposed to indicate ten UTM zones numbered left to right from 10 to 19.
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Map of the lower 48 states with vertical lines superimposed to indicate ten UTM zones numbered left to right from 10 to 19.

How are UTM coordinates measured on USGS topographic maps?

The UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinate system divides the world into sixty north-south zones, each 6 degrees of longitude wide. UTM zones are numbered consecutively beginning with Zone 1, which includes the westernmost point of Alaska, and progress eastward to Zone 19, which includes Maine. If UTM ticks are shown on a USGS topographic map, the zone is indicated in the credit legend in...

link

How are UTM coordinates measured on USGS topographic maps?

The UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinate system divides the world into sixty north-south zones, each 6 degrees of longitude wide. UTM zones are numbered consecutively beginning with Zone 1, which includes the westernmost point of Alaska, and progress eastward to Zone 19, which includes Maine. If UTM ticks are shown on a USGS topographic map, the zone is indicated in the credit legend in...

Learn More
link
Screenshot of map corner showing two grid lines and their UTM coordinates

Why don't U.S. Forest Service Visitor maps have Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grids?

The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid is not used on the Forest Service Visitor Map series because of the maps’ small scale and intended use. The more detailed Wilderness maps and Special Area maps published by the Forest Service might have UTM grid ticks.UTM grids are included on all US Topo maps (7.5-minute, 1:24,000-scale) published by the USGS after 2010.Order paper Forest Service maps...

link

Why don't U.S. Forest Service Visitor maps have Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grids?

The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid is not used on the Forest Service Visitor Map series because of the maps’ small scale and intended use. The more detailed Wilderness maps and Special Area maps published by the Forest Service might have UTM grid ticks.UTM grids are included on all US Topo maps (7.5-minute, 1:24,000-scale) published by the USGS after 2010.Order paper Forest Service maps...

Learn More
link
historic topographic map of portland, or

Do all USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps show the UTM grid?

Historical Topographic Map Collection (1884-2006): Through time, policies have changed regarding whether or not a full UTM grid would appear on the 7.5-minute (1:24,000-scale) map series. Beginning in the mid 1950s, the grid was indicated by blue ticks around the map at 1,000-meter spacing. In 1979, the ticks were replaced with a full-line black UTM grid. This decision was reversed in 1992, then...

link

Do all USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps show the UTM grid?

Historical Topographic Map Collection (1884-2006): Through time, policies have changed regarding whether or not a full UTM grid would appear on the 7.5-minute (1:24,000-scale) map series. Beginning in the mid 1950s, the grid was indicated by blue ticks around the map at 1,000-meter spacing. In 1979, the ticks were replaced with a full-line black UTM grid. This decision was reversed in 1992, then...

Learn More
link
Geospatial Data Analysis Corporation corn map of South Africa

Why do Landsat scenes in the Southern Hemisphere display negative UTM values?

Traditional Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) convention distinguishes between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, the UTM zone is a positive value or identified as UTM North. In the Southern Hemisphere, the UTM zone is a negative value or identified as UTM South. UTM North scenes in this convention have a false northing value of 0, while UTM South scenes have a...

link

Why do Landsat scenes in the Southern Hemisphere display negative UTM values?

Traditional Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) convention distinguishes between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, the UTM zone is a positive value or identified as UTM North. In the Southern Hemisphere, the UTM zone is a negative value or identified as UTM South. UTM North scenes in this convention have a false northing value of 0, while UTM South scenes have a...

Learn More
link
link
Map of the lower 48 states with vertical lines superimposed to indicate ten UTM zones numbered left to right from 10 to 19.
link

Map Scales

The proportion chosen for a particular map is its scale. Selecting the appropriate scale depends on the size of the sheet of paper and the accurate placement of features. Ground area, rivers, lakes, roads, distances between features, and so on must be shown proportionately smaller than they really are.

The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid

Map projections: A working manual

After decades of using only one map projection, the Polyconic, for its mapping program, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) now uses several of the more common projections for its published maps. For larger scale maps, including topographic quadrangles and the State Base Map Series, conformal projections such as the Transverse Mercator and the Lambert Conformal Conic are used. Equal-area and equidis

North American Datum of 1983, map data conversion tables; Alaska

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Related Content

  • FAQ
    link
    Map of the lower 48 states with vertical lines superimposed to indicate ten UTM zones numbered left to right from 10 to 19.

    How are UTM coordinates measured on USGS topographic maps?

    The UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinate system divides the world into sixty north-south zones, each 6 degrees of longitude wide. UTM zones are numbered consecutively beginning with Zone 1, which includes the westernmost point of Alaska, and progress eastward to Zone 19, which includes Maine. If UTM ticks are shown on a USGS topographic map, the zone is indicated in the credit legend in...

    link

    How are UTM coordinates measured on USGS topographic maps?

    The UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinate system divides the world into sixty north-south zones, each 6 degrees of longitude wide. UTM zones are numbered consecutively beginning with Zone 1, which includes the westernmost point of Alaska, and progress eastward to Zone 19, which includes Maine. If UTM ticks are shown on a USGS topographic map, the zone is indicated in the credit legend in...

    Learn More
    link
    Screenshot of map corner showing two grid lines and their UTM coordinates

    Why don't U.S. Forest Service Visitor maps have Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grids?

    The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid is not used on the Forest Service Visitor Map series because of the maps’ small scale and intended use. The more detailed Wilderness maps and Special Area maps published by the Forest Service might have UTM grid ticks.UTM grids are included on all US Topo maps (7.5-minute, 1:24,000-scale) published by the USGS after 2010.Order paper Forest Service maps...

    link

    Why don't U.S. Forest Service Visitor maps have Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grids?

    The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid is not used on the Forest Service Visitor Map series because of the maps’ small scale and intended use. The more detailed Wilderness maps and Special Area maps published by the Forest Service might have UTM grid ticks.UTM grids are included on all US Topo maps (7.5-minute, 1:24,000-scale) published by the USGS after 2010.Order paper Forest Service maps...

    Learn More
    link
    historic topographic map of portland, or

    Do all USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps show the UTM grid?

    Historical Topographic Map Collection (1884-2006): Through time, policies have changed regarding whether or not a full UTM grid would appear on the 7.5-minute (1:24,000-scale) map series. Beginning in the mid 1950s, the grid was indicated by blue ticks around the map at 1,000-meter spacing. In 1979, the ticks were replaced with a full-line black UTM grid. This decision was reversed in 1992, then...

    link

    Do all USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps show the UTM grid?

    Historical Topographic Map Collection (1884-2006): Through time, policies have changed regarding whether or not a full UTM grid would appear on the 7.5-minute (1:24,000-scale) map series. Beginning in the mid 1950s, the grid was indicated by blue ticks around the map at 1,000-meter spacing. In 1979, the ticks were replaced with a full-line black UTM grid. This decision was reversed in 1992, then...

    Learn More
    link
    Geospatial Data Analysis Corporation corn map of South Africa

    Why do Landsat scenes in the Southern Hemisphere display negative UTM values?

    Traditional Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) convention distinguishes between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, the UTM zone is a positive value or identified as UTM North. In the Southern Hemisphere, the UTM zone is a negative value or identified as UTM South. UTM North scenes in this convention have a false northing value of 0, while UTM South scenes have a...

    link

    Why do Landsat scenes in the Southern Hemisphere display negative UTM values?

    Traditional Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) convention distinguishes between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, the UTM zone is a positive value or identified as UTM North. In the Southern Hemisphere, the UTM zone is a negative value or identified as UTM South. UTM North scenes in this convention have a false northing value of 0, while UTM South scenes have a...

    Learn More
  • Multimedia
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    Map of the lower 48 states with vertical lines superimposed to indicate ten UTM zones numbered left to right from 10 to 19.
    link
  • Publications

    Map Scales

    The proportion chosen for a particular map is its scale. Selecting the appropriate scale depends on the size of the sheet of paper and the accurate placement of features. Ground area, rivers, lakes, roads, distances between features, and so on must be shown proportionately smaller than they really are.

    The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid

    Map projections: A working manual

    After decades of using only one map projection, the Polyconic, for its mapping program, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) now uses several of the more common projections for its published maps. For larger scale maps, including topographic quadrangles and the State Base Map Series, conformal projections such as the Transverse Mercator and the Lambert Conformal Conic are used. Equal-area and equidis

    North American Datum of 1983, map data conversion tables; Alaska

  • News
    link

    Mapping Public Lands in the United States

    The Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) is the official inventory of public parks and other protected areas in all U.S. states and...

    Read Article
    link

    Finding Yourself Outdoors

    Updated USGS digital topographic maps feature more trails and other recreation points of interest

    Read Article
    link

    Mapping the National Parks

    The national parks of the United States are often compared to, and indeed inspire, works of art. In fact, the USGS has been regularly contributing new...
    Read Article