A datum reference or just datum (plural: datums[Note 1]) is some geometrically important part of an object, such as a point, line, plane, hole, set of holes, or pair of surfaces.

Dec 7, 2023 · NGS defines the official geodetic datums for all federal mapping activities in the U.S. and its territories (see Table 1) as part of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).

Datums are theoretically exact points, axes, lines, and planes or a combination thereof that are derived from datum features. A datum feature is the tangible surface or feature of size …

What Are Datums? A datum is a plane, a straight line, or a point that is used as a reference when processing a material or measuring the dimensions of a target.

Jan 2, 2025 · In engineering, datums are a fixed reference point, line or plane used to establish a coordinate system which engineers use to locate and measure certain features on a part.

Learn about geodetic datums and how they affect GPS coordinates. Complete guide to understanding datum shifts and coordinate accuracy for navigation and GIS work.

Apr 30, 2025 · What Are Datums in Engineering? A datum is a theoretical reference point, line, or plane used to establish a coordinate system for measurement and design. Think of it as a zero …

This means that datums are the reference frames used in the construction of maps. Realization, the disks in the ground and the catalogue of their coordinat es, are the practical way datums …

Horizontal datums measure positions (latitude and longitude) on the surface of the Earth, while vertical datums are used to measure land elevations and water depths.

A datum is a mathematical model of the Earth's shape used to measure locations (horizontal datums) and elevations (vertical datums).