How to Read and Write UTM Coordinates on a Map

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you're planning a hiking trip or any sort of expedition, chances are you'll need to learn how use UTM coordinates. The Universal Transverse Mercator system is a system of coordinates that describes position on a map, and is often used by both GPS devices and physical maps, including tourism guidebooks. We'll show you how to determine and read UTM coordinates, so you can know where you are, wherever you are.

1

Determine which zone you are in.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The world is divided into 60 UTM zones.
    2. Advertisement
2

Determine which datum to use.

PDF download Download Article
  1. When you are using UTM coordinates, you need to make sure that you are using a common UTM datum. For instance, you should check to make sure or your GPS is set to the same datum as your map or guidebooks or you should make sure that a search party knows what datum you are using for your coordinates.
    • The reference datums that are most commonly used in North America are NAD 27 CONUS and WGS 84.
    • Here is how reference datums work. The reference datum is the one place on map from which you measure to all of the other places. Picking a different place to measure from can significantly change the coordinates. If you use different datums in your GPS and on your map, you can end up in the wrong place.
3

Determine the easting.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The first number in UTM coordinates is called the easting.
    • The easting refers to how far east you are.
    • If you are using a map, look at the numbers found along the edge of the map that correspond with the UTM coordinates. The easting coordinates will be found along the top and bottom of the map.
    • If you are using a GPS, the easting will be the first number when it is set in UTM mode.
    • A change of 1 number in easting coordinates, for example 510,000 mE to 510,001mE, is a change of about 1 m (1 yard) on the ground. If you walk from 510,000 mE to 511,000 mE without changing your northing, you will have walked approximately 1 km (.62 mi.)
    • Interpolate easting coordinates on a grid to determine an exact location.
    2. Advertisement
4

Determine the northing.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The second number in UTM coordinates in called the northing.
    • The northing refers to how far north you are.
    • If you are using a map, look at the numbers found along the edge of the map that correspond with the UTM coordinates. The northing coordinates will be found along the right and left of the map.
    • If you are using a GPS, the northing will be the second number when it is set in UTM mode.
    • A change of 1 number in northing coordinates, for instance 510,000 mN to 510,001mN, is a change of about 1 m (1 yard) on the ground. If you walk from 850,000 mN to 851,000 mN without changing your easting, you will have walked approximately 1 km (.62 mi.)
    • Interpolate northing coordinates on a grid to determine an exact location.

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I determine the distance from one set of numbers to another set of numbers?
    Community Answer
    To find the distance between two points on the earth, convert the UTM coordinates to Latitude and Longitude. Then, you can use spherical trigonometric functions to find the distance and direction. (The formulae are available on internet.)
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 8
  • Question
    How do I plot UTM coordinates on google earth?
    Brett Gilbert
    Top Answerer
    Open Google Earth, then type them into the search box. It should take you to the coordinates you typed. You can also click the view button to activate the grid lines.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 15
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • A plastic UTM grid read can be used with a map to very accurately interpolate UTM coordinates. However, care should be taken to insure the scale of the UTM tool matches the scale of the map - different scales between tool and map is another common problem which can lead to incorrect coordinates / plotting.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
      • The most common problem that people have when using UTM coordinates is that their UTM datums do not match. If you are having a problem when you are using UTM, the first thing you should do is check to make sure that all maps, books, and GPS systems you are using are set up in the same UTM datum.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Use a Sextant
      How to
      Determine Directions to North, South, East, and West
      How to
      Use a Compass
      How to
      Find True North Without a Compass
      How to
      Use an Analog Watch as a Compass
      How to
      Use Navigation in Google Maps on Any Device
      Navigating by the Stars: Find North, South, & More
      How to
      Find Direction Without a Compass
      How to
      Make a Compass
      How to
      Determine True North
      How to
      Give Directions
      How to
      Determine Direction Using the Sun
      How to
      Use the iPhone Compass
      How to
      Use a GPS
      Advertisement

      References

      1. http://www.maptools.com/UsingUTM/quickUTM.html

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 231,877 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Chatur Makiyu

        Oct 18, 2017

        "Very helpful on how to read UTM coordinates."
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement