How to convert a legal land description to a map
To map a legal land description, first identify the survey system, then decode the fields that locate it in that system.
The safe workflow
Start with the country and system: DLS, PLSS, NTS, Ontario lot-and-concession, Texas GLO or Manitoba river lot. Then check the required fields for that system before looking for a map.
The free decoder uses the typed parser output for coordinates and geometry. If a description is incomplete or ambiguous, it should not be treated as a mapped parcel.
Fields to preserve
For DLS and PLSS, preserve the section, township, range and meridian. For DLS, keep the quarter or legal subdivision. For PLSS, keep aliquot parts and any named principal meridian.
For Ontario, preserve the lot, concession, township and county. For Texas, preserve the abstract number, survey name, block, section and county. For NTS, preserve every map-sheet level.
What the map can confirm
A mapped result should confirm the normalized description, the survey system, the coordinates and the product path to Township Canada or Township America.
The map cannot repair a missing meridian, county or township name. If those fields are absent, the result should stay unresolved rather than guessing a parcel.
Last reviewed June 2026. General information about survey systems — not legal, title, or survey advice.
Sources: US BLM — Cadastral Survey (PLSS), Natural Resources Canada — About Canada Lands surveys.