Waypoint

Waypoints are predefined positions used in navigation to define a course or to mark a location of interest. They are used across air, sea, land, and digital navigation to determine route segments, turning points, or destinations. A waypoint is typically specified by its geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) and may include altitude or depth and a name or code.

In aviation, routes are often described as sequences of waypoints connected by legs; navigation systems guide aircraft from one waypoint to the next, with holds or arrivals defined relative to fixes. In maritime and road navigation, voyages or journeys are planned as a series of waypoints forming a path, and in hiking or outdoor activities, waypoints mark turns, trailheads, or points of interest.

In digital mapping and GPS devices, users can create, edit, or delete waypoints to customize routes. Waypoints may be fixed, with official names or codes, or user-defined for personal navigation needs. Some systems distinguish fly-by waypoints, which allow smooth turns without stopping at the exact point, from fly-over waypoints that require a hold at the point.

Coordinates used for waypoints rely on a geodetic datum. Small differences between datums can shift waypoint positions, so datum consistency is important when sharing waypoint data. WGS 84 is standard for GPS, while other maps and applications may use different reference frames, necessitating transformations for accurate interchange.