What is a legal land description?
A legal land description is a formal way to identify land using a survey system, such as DLS, PLSS, NTS, Texas abstracts, Ontario lots or Manitoba river lots.
Why legal descriptions matter
Unlike a street address, a legal land description ties land to the survey record. That is why mineral leases, surface agreements, well files and land titles often use descriptions like NE-12-34-5-W4 or Sec 34, T3S, R1W.
The decoder first identifies the survey system, then maps the fields that belong to that system. It does not invent missing coordinates or geometry.
Last reviewed June 2026. General information about survey systems — not legal, title, or survey advice.
Sources: US BLM — Cadastral Survey (PLSS), Natural Resources Canada — About Canada Lands surveys.