Coordinate System Selection by State

In cases where your client doesn't request a specific coordinate system and you aren't comparing the data with a previous data set, then you the most likely selection for the horizontal coordinate system will be a state plane zone.  In Emlid Flow that will look something like NAD83(2011) / "state" "zone".  You can use this simple tool on ARCGIS to find out which state plane zone you should choose based on your location.

Some states also may primarily use a county based system.  At that point you will check the county you are working in and choose accordingly.  

Most common for the vertical system is orthometric height with the latest geoid (geoid 18).  In Emlid Flow that corresponds to NAVD88 height. 

Unit recommendation is typically US survey feet, but some states use international feet.  The wrong selection can result in several feet difference. 

Don't worry if you find out later that you have selected a different coordinate system than what you needed.  You can always convert from one coordinate system to another.  

For informational videos on coordinate systems, localizations and more, check out our video tutorials.  

Below is a list of common coordinate systems and units for each state.  

Alabama - NAD83(2011) / Alabama (East/West).  US survey feet.

Alaska - NAD83(2011) / Alaska (zone 1-10).   International feet.

Arizona - NAD83(2011) / Arizona (East/Central/West).  International feet.

Arkansas - NAD83(2011) / Arkansas (North/South).  US survey feet.

California - NAD83(2011) / California (zone 1-6).  US survey feet.

Colorado - NAD83(2011) / Colorado (Central/North/South).  US survey feet.

Connecticut - NAD83(2011) / Connecticut.  US survey feet.

Delaware - NAD83(2011) / Delaware.  US survey feet.

Florida - NAD83(2011) / Florida (East/North/West).  US survey feet.

Georgia - NAD83(2011) / Georgia (East/West).  US survey feet.

Hawaii - No suggestion.

Idaho - NAD83(2011) / Idaho (Central/East/West).  US survey feet.

Illinois - NAD83(2011) / Illinois (East/West).  US survey feet.

Indiana - NAD83(2011) / Indiana (East/West).  US survey feet.

Iowa - NAD83(2011) / IaRCS (zone 1-14).  International feet.

Kansas - NAD83(2011) / Kansas (North/South).  US survey feet.

Kentucky - NAD83(2011) / Kentucky (North/South).  US survey feet.

Louisiana - NAD83(2011) / Louisiana (North/South).  US survey feet.

Maine - NAD83(2011) / Maine (East/West).  US survey feet

Maryland - NAD83(2011) / Maryland.  US survey feet

Massachusetts - NAD83(2011) / Massachusetts (Island/Mainland).  US survey feet.

Michigan - NAD83(2011) / Michigan (Central/North/South).  International feet.

Minnesota - NAD83(2011) / Minnesota (Central/North/South).  US survey feet.  

Mississippi - NAD83(2011) / Mississippi (East/West).  US survey feet.

Missouri - NAD83(2011) / Missouri (Central/East/West).  International feet.

Montana - NAD83(2011) / Montana.  International feet. 

Nebraska - NAD83(2011) / Nebraska.  US survey feet.

Nevada - NAD83(2011) / (Central/East/West).  US survey feet.  

New Hampshire - NAD83(2011) / New Hampshire.  US survey feet

New Jersey - NAD83(2011) / New Jersey.  US survey feet.  

New Mexico - NAD83(2011) / New Mexico (Central/East/West).  US survey feet.

New York - NAD83(2011) / New York (Central/East/Long Island/West).  US survey feet.

North Carolina - NAD83(2011) / North Carolina.  US survey feet.  

North Dakota - NAD83(2011) / North Dakota (North/South).  International feet.  

Ohio - NAD83(2011) / Ohio (North/South).  US survey feet.  

Oklahoma - NAD83(2011) / Oklahoma (North/South).  US survey feet.  

Oregon - NAD83(2011) / Oregon (low distortion zone).  International feet. 

Pennsylvania - NAD83(2011) / Pennsylvania (North/South).  US survey feet.  

Rhode Island - NAD83(2011) / Rhode Island.  US survey feet.  

South Carolina - NAD83(2011) / South Carolina.  International feet.  

South Dakota - NAD83(2011) / South Dakota (North/South).  US survey feet.  

Tennessee - NAD83(2011) / Tennessee.  US survey feet.  

Texas - NAD83(2011) / Texas (Central/North/North Central/South/South Central).  US survey feet.  

Utah - NAD83(2011) / Utah (Central/North/South).  US survey feet. 

Vermont -  NAD83(2011) / Vermont.  US survey feet.  

Virginia - NAD83(2011) / Virginia (North/South).  US survey feet.  

Washington - NAD83(2011) / Washington (North/South).  US survey feet.  

West Virginia - NAD83(2011) / West Virginia (North/South).  US survey feet.  

Wisconsin - NAD83(2011) / WISCRS (county).  US survey feet.  

Wyoming - NAD83(2011) / Wyoming (East/Central/West/West Central.  US survey feet.