Interactive Township and Range Map – Free PLSS Land Survey System Viewer
Professional Township Range Lookup Tool with GPS Conversion
Instantly locate any township and range with our free interactive Public Land Survey System (PLSS) map viewer. Convert GPS coordinates to legal land descriptions, identify section township range boundaries, and access official Bureau of Land Management cadastral data – all in one powerful web-based tool.
🗺️ What is the Township and Range System?
The Township and Range System, also known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), is the standardized method used across most of the United States to identify and locate parcels of land. Established in 1785, this systematic grid divides land into:
- Townships: 6-mile × 6-mile squares
- Ranges: Numbered columns running north-south
- Sections: 1-mile × 1-mile squares (640 acres each)
- Quarter Sections: 160-acre subdivisions
This legal land description system covers approximately 70% of the United States, primarily in the western and midwestern states.
🎯 Key Features of Our PLSS Viewer
Interactive Township Range Map
- Real-time access to official BLM PLSS cadastral data
- Click anywhere to instantly identify township, range, and section
- High-resolution satellite and street map base layers
- Zoom from state-level overview to individual property boundaries
GPS to Township Range Converter
- Convert latitude/longitude coordinates to legal land descriptions
- Reverse lookup: Enter township and range to find GPS coordinates
- Supports decimal degrees and traditional surveying formats
- Accurate positioning using official government survey data
Professional Measurement Tools
- Measure distances in feet, miles, and acres
- Calculate area measurements for property planning
- Draw polygons and polylines with real-time calculations
- Perfect for surveyors, real estate professionals, and land planners
Mobile-Optimized Interface
- Responsive design works on phones, tablets, and desktops
- Touch-friendly controls for field use
- Offline-capable core features
- Fast loading with optimized mapping technology
📋 How to Use the Township and Range Viewer
Getting Started
- Initial Map View: The map opens centered on the western United States, where PLSS coverage is most comprehensive.
- Auto-Location: If you allow location access, the map will automatically center on your current position (within PLSS coverage areas).
- Navigation: Use mouse/touch to pan and zoom. The map supports standard web mapping controls.
Identifying Land Survey Information
Click-to-Identify Method
- Click anywhere on the map where you want PLSS information
- Wait for loading – the system queries official BLM databases
- Review results in the information panel below the map
- Get detailed data including:
- Township and Range designation (e.g., “T12N R34W”)
- Section number (1-36)
- Principal Meridian reference
- State and PLSS ID
- Survey name and additional cadastral details
GPS Coordinate Conversion
- Click “GPS Convert” in the header toolbar
- Enter coordinates in decimal degrees format
- Latitude: e.g., 40.123456
- Longitude: e.g., -105.123456 (negative for western coordinates)
- Click “Convert GPS → Township/Range”
- View results showing the corresponding legal land description
Legal Description to GPS Lookup
- Open GPS Convert panel
- Enter Township: Format as T12N (Township 12 North)
- Enter Range: Format as R34W (Range 34 West)
- Optional Section: Enter section number (1-36)
- Click “Convert Township/Range → GPS”
- Use “Search on Map” to center the map on that location
Using Measurement Tools
Drawing and Measuring
- Distance Tool: Draw lines to measure property boundaries, roads, or survey lines
- Area Tool: Create polygons to calculate acreage for parcels or planning purposes
- Rectangle Tool: Quickly measure rectangular areas
Understanding Measurements
- Distance: Displayed in feet and miles
- Area: Shown in square feet and acres
- Perimeter: Total boundary length for polygons
- Real-time updates: Measurements update as you draw or edit
Map Layers and Views
Base Map Options
- Street Map: OpenStreetMap showing roads, cities, and landmarks
- Satellite View: High-resolution aerial imagery for visual land identification
PLSS Data Layers
- Townships & Ranges: Shows township/range grid boundaries
- All PLSS Layers: Includes sections and detailed cadastral features
- Layer Control: Toggle layers on/off using the layer control panel
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
General PLSS Questions
Q: What areas are covered by the Township and Range system? A: The PLSS covers approximately 70% of the United States, including most states west of the original 13 colonies. Coverage includes all or parts of: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Q: Why isn’t my property showing up in the PLSS system? A: Properties in the original 13 colonies, Texas, Hawaii, and parts of other eastern states use different survey systems like “metes and bounds” descriptions. The PLSS was implemented after these areas were already surveyed using colonial-era methods.
Q: How accurate is the Township and Range system? A: The PLSS is highly accurate for legal purposes. Original surveys date back to the 1800s and have been continuously maintained. Modern GPS technology has improved accuracy to within a few feet for most boundaries.
Q: What is a Principal Meridian? A: Principal Meridians are north-south reference lines from which township and range measurements begin. There are 37 Principal Meridians across the PLSS states, each serving as the baseline for surveys in their region.
Using the Map Viewer
Q: Why am I seeing “No PLSS Data Available”? A: This usually means you’re clicking in an area outside PLSS coverage (like eastern states) or in a location where the BLM database doesn’t have detailed information. Try zooming in for more detailed data, or verify you’re in a PLSS-covered state.
Q: How do I read a township and range designation? A: Format example: “T12N R34W” means Township 12 North, Range 34 West of a specific Principal Meridian. The township number indicates how many townships north or south of the baseline, while the range number shows how many ranges east or west of the Principal Meridian.
Q: What does “Section 15” mean? A: Sections are numbered 1-36 within each township, following a specific pattern starting from the northeast corner. Section 15 would be a specific 640-acre square within that township. Each section can be further divided into quarter sections, quarter-quarter sections, etc.
Q: Can I use this tool for legal property descriptions? A: While our tool uses official BLM data, always verify legal descriptions with current surveys, title companies, or county records for legal transactions. This tool is excellent for preliminary research and general identification.
Technical Questions
Q: What coordinate system does the GPS converter use? A: The tool accepts and displays coordinates in WGS84 decimal degrees (the standard for GPS devices). Latitude values are positive for northern locations, longitude values are negative for western US locations.
Q: How often is the PLSS data updated? A: The underlying BLM PLSS database is continuously maintained and updated. Our viewer accesses this data in real-time, so you’re always seeing the most current available information.
Q: Can I use this tool offline? A: The core mapping functionality requires an internet connection to access current PLSS data and base maps. However, basic measurement tools may work with cached map data.
Q: Is this tool free to use? A: Yes, completely free for all users. The tool is built on public domain government data and open-source mapping technologies.
Professional Use Cases
Q: How accurate are the measurements for surveying purposes? A: Measurements are suitable for planning and preliminary work but should not replace professional land surveys for legal purposes. For precise boundary determination, always hire a licensed surveyor.
Q: Can I save or export the measurements I make? A: Currently, measurements are session-based. For permanent records, take screenshots or manually record the values. Future updates may include export functionality.
Q: Is this suitable for real estate professionals? A: Absolutely. Real estate agents, appraisers, and property managers use PLSS viewers to quickly identify property locations, understand legal descriptions, and communicate with clients about land boundaries.
Q: How does this compare to professional GIS software? A: Our tool provides essential PLSS lookup and measurement capabilities that cover most common use cases. Professional GIS software offers more advanced analysis features but requires specialized training and licensing.
Troubleshooting
Q: The map isn’t loading – what should I do? A: Try refreshing the page, checking your internet connection, or using a different browser. The tool works best with modern browsers that support current web standards.
Q: GPS coordinates aren’t converting properly A: Ensure you’re using decimal degrees format (e.g., 40.123456, -105.123456) rather than degrees/minutes/seconds. Also verify coordinates are within PLSS coverage areas.
Q: I can’t see the township lines clearly A: Try adjusting the map zoom level and toggling different PLSS layers using the layer control panel. Some details only become visible at higher zoom levels.
Q: The measurement tools aren’t working A: Make sure you’ve selected the appropriate drawing tool from the toolbar. Click once to start drawing, continue clicking to add points, and double-click to finish a measurement.
