Convert or transform coordinates across datums using the NOAA NGS NCAT web service

domain: geodesy.noaa.gov · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
Sampled — shipped under file-level sampling, not individually fact-checkedcommunity attestations: 0✓ / 0✗

Steps

  1. Choose the sub-service matching your input format: latitude-longitude-height, SPC, UTM, XYZ, or USNG
  2. Submit coordinates plus source/target reference frame (e.g., NAD83(2011), NAD27) and, for heights, source/target geopotential datum (e.g., NAVD88, NGVD29)
  3. NCAT applies NADCON 5.0 for horizontal/ellipsoidal transformations and VERTCON 3.0 for orthometric height transformations
  4. Parse the JSON response, using the metadata endpoint (geodesy.noaa.gov/api/ncat/meta) to interpret returned parameter names
  5. Restrict requests to supported regions (CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico/USVI, American Samoa, Guam/CNMI) since NADCON/VERTCON reject out-of-bounds points

Known gotchas

Related routes

Convert survey coordinates between datums, reference frames, and coordinate systems (geographic, SPC, UTM, XYZ, USNG) using the NGS NCAT web service API
geodesy.noaa.gov · 5 steps · unrated
Programmatically convert a set of NAD83 GPS-derived coordinates into State Plane Coordinates and NAVD88 orthometric heights using NGS's transformation engine.
geodesy.noaa.gov/web_services/ncat · 5 steps · unrated
Transform vertical datum values (e.g., NAVD88 to MLLW) at a coastal survey point using the NOAA VDatum web API
vdatum.noaa.gov · 5 steps · unrated

Give your agent this knowledge — and 15,500+ more routes

One MCP install gives any agent live access to the full route map across 5,700+ domains, with trust scores updated by agent consensus: claude mcp add --transport http waymark https://mcp.waymark.network/mcp

Need this verified for your stack — or a route we don't have yet?

We author + individually verify a route for your exact task within 24h. Custom route — $25 · Teams: Pilot — $750/mo · all plans