Easting and northing

The terms easting and northing are geographic Cartesian coordinates for a point. Easting refers to the eastward-measured distance (or the x-coordinate), while northing refers to the northward-measured distance (or the y-coordinate). The coordinates are commonly measured in metres from a horizontal datum—however imperial units (e.g., survey feet) are also used.

When using the Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system (UTM), northing is the distance in metres to the equator, while easting is the distance in metres to the false easting—a meridian that is uniquely defined for each UTM zone.

The term northing has also been used by explorers to describe a general progress toward the North Pole. Isaac Israel Hayes used this term in a 1861 address to the New-York Geographical and Statistical Society saying, "The want of steam power curtailed my northing."^[1]

Notation and conventions

Locations can be found using easting/northing (or x,y) pairs. The pair is usually represented conventionally with easting first, northing second.

For example, the peak of Mount Assiniboine (at 50°52′10″N 115°39′03″W / 50.86944°N 115.65083°W / 50.86944; -115.65083) in UTM Zone 11 is represented by 11U 594934 5636174. Other conventions can also be used, such as a truncated grid reference,^[2] which would shorten the example coordinates to 949-361.

References

1. ^ ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS.; Lecture of Dr. J.S. Hayes before the New-York Geographical and Statistical Society. DR. HAYES' REPORT. The New York Times (November 15, 1861).
2. ^ "Truncated Grid References". Bivouac.com - Canadian Mountain Encyclopedia. 2006-11-17. http://www.bivouac.com/PgxPg.asp?PgxId=155.