UTM projections

Overview

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) is a geographic coordinate system. It is based on the Transerve Mercator projection, which is a cylindrical map projection. UTM divides the Earth into 60 zones, each spanning 6 degrees of longitude.

Polar regions use universal polar stereographic (UPS) projections, as UTM projections become distorted above 84°N and below 80°S.

UTM-WGS84

In UTM-WGS84, the UTM is projected onto the WGS84 ellipsoid. It uses a metric-based grid system, where coordinates are calculated in meters, allowing for precise distance and area calculations.

Each UTM zone will have a corresponding CRS for the northern and southern hemispheres.

For the Northern Hemisphere

For regions in the Northern Hemisphere between the equator and 84°N, EPSG codes begin with the prefix 326, followed by a two-digit number indicating the respective UTM zone. To identify the correct EPSG code, find the UTM zone first.

For the Southern Hemisphere

For regions in the Southern Hemisphere between the equator and 80°S, EPSG codes begin with the prefix 327, followed by a two-digit number indicating the respective UTM zone. To identify the correct EPSG code, find the UTM zone first.

UTM-NAD83

In UTM-NAD83, the UTM is projected onto the North American Datum 1983 (NAD83) geodetic datum. Each UTM zone will have a corresponding CRS for the NAD83 scheme.

The respective EPSG codes begin with the prefix 269, followed by a two-digit number indicating the UTM zone. To identify the correct EPSG code, find the UTM zone first.

These EPSG codes are specific to the continental United States.