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How to read a UTM Coordinate to someone who is plotting.

Reading a UTM Coordinate:

• Look at the example of the Ozark Challenge checkpoints below. This is a scanned image of one of their coordinate sheets.  

• When reading the coordinates always wait for the plotter to repeat what you have said and make sure they have it right. Then wait for the okay so you do not get ahead of them. 

• The first number we need to look at the checkpoint or transition number. This will be the number in the BLACK square.  16 CP

• Read it just like it says “checkpoint sixteen”.

• You may also see “TA” or “RP”. This means “Transition Area” or “Routing Point”.  See our lingo page for more possible terms.

• The name in the YELLOW square it the quad.  CASS

• Read the quad so that we are plotting on the correct map.  

• UTMs are actually 7 numbers in two groups, but you will only use six numbers in each group to plot.  

• If you have two seven digit number groups like 0423757 3946523. You will need to make each of these a six digit coordinate. 

• To do this round the 6th number up if the 7th number is 5 or more, if the 7th number is 4 or less just drop the number altogether. 

• So 0423757 will round up the 6th number to become 042376 and 3946523 will drop the 7th number to become 394652.

• This is the same 7 digit coordinate with the last number dropped off.  

• Read the numbers in RED first.  0423   3946

• Read them together as separate numbers with “and” as the divider “zero four two three and three nine four six”.

• This will give me the grid square that we will plot from.

• Read the numbers in BLUE second.  76  52

• Read them the same as above “seven six and five two”.

• Do not read them as one number “four hundred twenty three” or "seventy six"

• This gives us the coordinate.

16 CP             CASS               042376        394652          

• You may also see additional instructions on your coordinates. Write these notes in your map's margins or just keep the coordinate sheet handy.

• The reading should sound like this:  

             Reader: ”Checkpoint sixteen is on the CASS map.”

              Plotter:  “CP16 on CASS map” “okay”

              Reader: “zero four two three and three nine four six.”

              Plotter: “zero four two three” “three nine four six” “okay”.

              Reader: “seven six and five two”

              Plotter: “seven six” “five two” “okay”

• Repeat this for each Checkpoint, Transition Area, and Routing Point.

Additional Notes:

• More information on how to plot these coordinates may be found in our "Navigation  for Adventure Racing" link. Requires Adobe Acrobat.