Coordinates Area Calculator

How to Use the Coordinates Area Calculator

The Coordinates Area Calculator is a web-based tool that allows you to input geographic coordinates, visualize them on a map, calculate lengths or areas, and export the results. Follow these steps to use the application effectively:

1. Getting Started

• Interface Overview: The screen is divided into sections: Manual Input, Import from File, a Map, and Results. A prompt at the top explains the basic workflow.

2. Inputting Coordinates

You can add coordinates in two ways: manually or by importing a file.

Manual Input

1. Select Coordinate Type:
   • In the "Manual Input" section, choose "Lat/Long (Decimal Degrees)" or "UTM" from the "Coordinate Type" dropdown.
   • For UTM, additional fields for "Zone" (1-60) and "Hemisphere" (North or South) will appear. Select the appropriate values (e.g., Zone 10, North).
2. Enter Coordinates:
   • In the table, input X (Latitude or Easting) and Y (Longitude or Northing) values in the first row. For example:
   • Lat/Long: 40.7128 (Lat), -74.0060 (Long) for New York City.
   • UTM: 500000 (Easting), 4649776 (Northing) for a point in Zone 10N.
   • Click "Add Point" to add more rows and enter additional coordinates.
3. Customize Labels:
   • Choose "Default label" (e.g., Pt1, Pt2) or "Custom label" from the "Label Type" dropdown. For custom labels, enter a prefix (e.g., "Site") in the "Custom Label Prefix" field.
4. Load Points:
   • Click "Load Points" to plot the entered coordinates on the map. Invalid entries (e.g., Lat > 90) will trigger an alert.
   • Use "Delete" buttons to remove rows or "Reset" to clear all manual inputs.

Importing from a File

1. Upload a File:
   • In the "Import from File" section, click "Choose File" and select a .xlsx, .xls, or .csv file containing coordinates.
   • The file should have at least two columns (e.g., X and Y values) with headers in the first row.
2. Configure Import:
   • After uploading, select the "Coordinate Type" (Lat/Long or UTM).
   • For UTM, specify the "Zone" and "Hemisphere".
   • Map the X and Y columns using the dropdowns (e.g., "Latitude" for X, "Longitude" for Y).
3. Load Points:
   • Click "Load Points" to plot the coordinates on the map. Ensure at least two valid points are present.
   • Use "Reset Import" to clear the file and start over.

3. Visualizing on the Map

• Map Display: Once points are loaded (manually or from a file), they appear as blue markers on the map with popups showing their labels and coordinates.
• Map Layers: Switch between Satellite (default), Street, or Terrain views using the layer control in the top-right corner.
• Zoom and Pan: Use the mouse or map controls to adjust the view. The map automatically zooms to fit all points when loaded.

4. Calculating Lengths and Areas

1. Select Points:
   • Click markers on the map to select them. Selected markers turn red, and a red line (for 2 points) or polygon (for 3+ points) connects them.
2. View Results:
   • Two Points: The length is displayed in the bottom-right map results box (e.g., "Length: 1234.56 meters").
   • Three or More Points: Both area (initially in acres) and perimeter are shown (e.g., "Area: 10.123456 acres, Perimeter: 567.89 meters").
   • Results update automatically when changing the calculation method or unit selections.
3. Adjust Units:
   • Change the "Length Unit" (meters, kilometers, miles, feet) to convert the displayed length or perimeter.
   • For areas, use the "Convert To" dropdown in the "Convert Section" (square meters, hectares, square kilometers, square feet, square yards, acres) and click "Convert" to update the area display.

5. Managing Selections

• Undo/Redo: Use the "Undo" (left arrow) and "Redo" (right arrow) buttons in the top-right map controls to step back or forward through your selections.
• Reset Selection: Click the "X" button to clear all selected markers and results, returning them to blue.

6. Exporting Results

1. Select Export Format:
   • After selecting 2+ points, choose an export format from the "Export Format" dropdown (KML, KMZ, DXF) in the "Results" section.
2. Export:
   • Click "Export" to download a file:
   • KML/KMZ: Opens in Google Earth, showing points and lines/polygons.
   • DXF: Opens in CAD software, representing points and shapes.
   • The file is named exported_coordinates with the appropriate extension.

This tool is ideal for surveyors, GIS professionals, or anyone needing to measure distances and areas from coordinates with flexible calculation options. Enjoy exploring your geospatial data!