Parcel Plotter guide
How to read bearings and distances on a land title
A bearing tells you which way a boundary line runs. A distance tells you how far it runs. Together, they describe one step from one parcel corner to the next.
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A line might read “1–2, N 30° E, 20 m.” This means the line from corner 1 to corner 2 runs 30 degrees east of north for 20 meters. The next entry starts at corner 2 and continues to corner 3. Follow the listed order to trace the boundary.
In quadrant bearings, the first letter is north or south and the last letter is east or west. The angle between them may include degrees, minutes, and seconds. The distance is usually stated in meters in Philippine technical descriptions. Copy all parts carefully: changing a letter, digit, or unit can change the plotted line.
What is a tie point?
A tie point is a reference used to relate a lot corner to a known point. It helps position the parcel in a larger survey framework. The lot's boundary lines describe its shape; the tie information helps place that shape. Check the document or approved plan for the reference and coordinate system actually used.
What if the lines do not meet?
If the final plotted line does not return to the starting corner, first check the transcription and the order of the entries. An open plot may have several causes and cannot by itself establish an error in the title. Keep the source document and ask a qualified geodetic professional to review any discrepancy that matters to a property decision.