Converting...
Enter WGS84 latitude and longitude to calculate the UTM easting, northing, zone, and EPSG code.
What Is a WGS84 to UTM Converter?
A WGS84 to UTM Converter transforms GPS-style latitude and longitude into Universal Transverse Mercator coordinates. WGS84 is the global geographic coordinate reference system used by GPS receivers, web maps, drones, and phone location services. UTM is a projected grid measured in meters, which makes it easier to measure local distances, offsets, survey points, and engineering layouts.
This converter returns the UTM zone, easting, northing, latitude band, hemisphere, EPSG code, QGIS-ready coordinate pair, and PROJ string. That combination is useful when a CAD drawing, field survey, georeferenced raster, or GIS layer expects projected coordinates instead of decimal degrees.
How to Convert Latitude and Longitude to UTM
The converter first validates that the coordinate is inside normal UTM coverage, from 80 degrees south to 84 degrees north. It then selects the six-degree UTM longitude zone, applies the Norway and Svalbard exceptions, and runs the WGS84 Transverse Mercator projection. The resulting easting is measured from a false easting of 500,000 meters, while southern hemisphere northings include a 10,000,000 meter false northing.
UTM coordinates should always be stored with their zone and hemisphere. An easting and northing pair alone is not globally unique because the same meter values can occur in multiple zones. The EPSG code solves that ambiguity in GIS software by naming the exact projected coordinate reference system.
UTM Easting and Northing Explained
Easting is the X coordinate in meters inside a UTM zone. Northing is the Y coordinate in meters. Because UTM is projected, it is better suited to local measurements than latitude and longitude. Survey crews, drone mapping teams, civil engineers, and GIS analysts often work in UTM because offsets, buffers, and distances are easier to interpret in meters.
WGS84 UTM EPSG Codes
| Hemisphere | Zone range | EPSG pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern | 1-60 | 32600 + zone | Zone 18N = EPSG:32618 |
| Southern | 1-60 | 32700 + zone | Zone 56S = EPSG:32756 |
Using UTM Coordinates in QGIS, ArcGIS, and Survey Work
In QGIS, the projected coordinate pair is normally entered as easting then northing, or X then Y. This page includes a QGIS copy field in that order. In ArcGIS and other GIS tools, choose the matching EPSG code for the UTM zone before importing projected coordinates. A layer in EPSG:32618 and a layer in EPSG:32718 use different hemispheres even though both refer to zone 18.
| Place | WGS84 latitude, longitude | Expected CRS |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 40.7128, -74.0060 | Zone 18T, EPSG:32618 |
| London | 51.5074, -0.1278 | Zone 30U, EPSG:32630 |
| Sydney | -33.8688, 151.2093 | Zone 56H, EPSG:32756 |
WGS84 to UTM Accuracy and Limits
The calculation uses the WGS84 ellipsoid and standard UTM formulas, which are appropriate for everyday GIS, mapping, and field-coordinate workflows. UTM is not designed for polar regions above 84 degrees north or below 80 degrees south; those regions use Universal Polar Stereographic coordinates instead. For legal boundary work, always confirm the required datum, epoch, grid system, and local survey standard.
WGS84 to UTM FAQ
How do I convert WGS84 coordinates to UTM?
Enter decimal latitude and longitude, then submit the form. The converter calculates the correct UTM zone, easting, northing, EPSG code, and PROJ string.
Is WGS84 the same as UTM?
No. WGS84 is a geographic coordinate reference system using latitude and longitude. UTM is a projected coordinate system using meters inside numbered zones.
What EPSG code should I use for UTM coordinates?
Use EPSG:326xx for WGS84 UTM northern hemisphere zones and EPSG:327xx for southern hemisphere zones, where xx is the two-digit UTM zone number.
Why does UTM use false easting and false northing?
False offsets keep UTM coordinates positive across each zone. Every zone uses a 500,000 meter false easting, and the southern hemisphere uses a 10,000,000 meter false northing.
Can UTM coordinates be used near the poles?
UTM is defined from 80 degrees south to 84 degrees north. Polar locations normally use UPS instead of UTM.