On a site plan, what do we call the distances that are north/south or east/west from a pre-determined datum or benchmark?

On a site plan, what do we call the distances that are north/south or east/west from a pre-determined datum or benchmark?

• A. Reference coordinates
• B. Latitude and longitude
• C. Easting and northing values
• D. Grid coordinates

Answer: (A)

On a site plan, the distances you measure along the east–west and north–south directions from a fixed reference are called easting and northing values. Easting is how far you’ve gone to the east from the grid’s origin, and northing is how far you’ve gone to the north. These come from a projected coordinate system tied to a datum, giving you flat-plan coordinates for precise locations. Latitude and longitude are angular coordinates on the globe, not the straight distances used on a plan. Grid coordinates is a general idea, but the specific terms for the axis distances are eastings and northings.

On a site plan, the distances you measure along the east–west and north–south directions from a fixed reference are called easting and northing values. Easting is how far you’ve gone to the east from the grid’s origin, and northing is how far you’ve gone to the north. These come from a projected coordinate system tied to a datum, giving you flat-plan coordinates for precise locations. Latitude and longitude are angular coordinates on the globe, not the straight distances used on a plan. Grid coordinates is a general idea, but the specific terms for the axis distances are eastings and northings.