Gridreferenced

Gridreferenced refers to something that is located or described using a grid-based coordinate system. This approach assigns positions by dividing a map or area into a network of cells or squares and recording each position with a combination of grid identifiers and numeric coordinates. Gridreferencing enables precise, unambiguous localization and facilitates data management, sharing, and comparison across maps and datasets.

Common grid systems include national or regional grids used in mapping, surveying, and navigation. In Great Britain, the Ordnance Survey National Grid uses a two-letter code to identify a 100-kilometre square, followed by numerical easting and northing values that locate a point within that square. Other systems include the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS), which adapts similar principles for military use, and the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid, which provides a global framework through a series of longitudinal zones. In geographic information systems, gridreferencing is often implemented alongside latitude and longitude, raster grids, or vector grids to anchor data to specific map cells.

Applications span archaeology, environmental science, urban planning, field surveying, and GIS data integration. In fieldwork, gridreferences help researchers locate finds, sample plots, or features consistently across time. In data sets, gridreferencing supports spatial analysis, reproducibility, and cross-map comparisons.

Limitations include dependence on the chosen grid’s alignment and scale, potential distortion when transforming between grids, and sometimes less intuitive interpretation for lay users compared with plain geographic coordinates.