Lot Plotter — Plot Lot Boundaries from Bearings and Distances
Plot a property's metes-and-bounds in seconds, get a ready-to-print lot diagram, and compute area by the surveyor's (shoelace) formula — without firing up AutoCAD.
Formulas
| Quantity | Formula |
|---|---|
| Latitude (Y component) of a course | Lat = D · cos(B) |
| Departure (X component) of a course | Dep = D · sin(B) |
| Surveyor's (shoelace) area | A = ½ |Σ (x_i · y_{i+1} − x_{i+1} · y_i)| |
| Linear closure error | C = √(ΣLat² + ΣDep²) |
How to use it
- Enter starting tie point or accept the default (0, 0).
- For each course, enter bearing as N 12°34′56″ E (DMS) or +123.5829° (decimal) and the distance in metres.
- Add courses until the lot closes. The plotter draws the polygon as you add each line.
- Read the area in square metres and hectares, plus the linear closure error.
- Export the diagram as SVG/PNG for your transmittal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is bearing direction interpreted?
Bearings follow the standard surveyor's quadrant convention (N __ E, N __ W, S __ E, S __ W). If you have azimuths, convert first: bearing = azimuth − 0/180/360 depending on quadrant.
What's an acceptable closure error?
Cadastral surveys in the Philippines target 1:5000 to 1:10000 (i.e., closure error ≤ perimeter / 5000). Construction layouts often accept 1:2500.
Does it handle curved boundaries?
Not yet. Curves can be approximated by chords. A future release will support arc segments.
Can I import a CSV of bearings and distances?
Yes — paste a bearings/distances table directly into the input area.