The State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS)

Transverse Mercator Projection

If the zone has a north-south orientation, it generally uses the Transverse Mercator projection. State Plane Coordinate System zones use the secant case of the Transverse Mercator projection. As shown above, it cuts through the spheroid/ellipsoid along two small circles at a specific distance from a central Meridian.

Lambert Conformal Conic Projection

While cartographers use the Lambert Conformal Conic projection for large continents, it's the most common map projection among the SPCS zones. When the zone has an east-west shape, it most likely uses the Lambert Conformal Conic projection.

Hotine Oblique Mercator Projection

Finally, the Hotine Oblique Mercator projection is similar to the Transverse Mercator. However, the key difference is how this projection lies at an angle diagonally. This diagonal orientation allows the Hotine Oblique Mercator projection to effectively capture the unique characteristics of specific regions.

State Plane Coordinate System FIPS Code

Anyone can identify their State Plane Coordinate System zone with a unique FIPS code. For example, Alaska has 10 State Plane Coordinate System zones with a unique FIPS code and map projection.

• For FIPS Zone 5001 (Alaska), it uses the Hotine Oblique Mercator
• From FIPS 5002 to 5009 (Alaska), it projects these zones with a Transverse Mercator
• Finally, the Alaska FIPS 5010 zone uses the Lambert Conformal Conic

The map below shows a thematic map of all the projections that the State Plane Coordinate System uses. It separates which zone uses Lambert Conformal Conic, Transverse Mercator, and Hotine Oblique Mercator projections.

SPCS 27 and SPCS 83

Over the years, surveyors have significantly improved our understanding of the size and shape of the Earth using geodesy. As a result, the State Plane Coordinate System references both the NAD83 and NAD27 datums.

• State Plane Coordinate Systems (SPCS 27) references NAD27 as a standard unit of measure in US survey feet
• State Plane Coordinate Systems (SPCS 83) is based on the NAD83 datum and is commonly measured in meters

Since the advent of NAD83, the State Plane Coordinate System has undergone a series of changes. For example, this includes zone modifications and origin changes.

State Plane Coordinate System Advantages

Government agencies use the State Plane Coordinate System because each zone has a defined boundary.
Counties can manage their data to a common coordinate system with those county and state lines.
Because of the limited distortion due to each zone having its own projection, the SPCS is most suitable for engineering, public works, and surveying applications.
To explore the SPCS in more detail, NOAA's State Plane Coordinate System Manual gives an old-school flavor to its origin.