CanGrid
NTS & DLS Grid Reference Tool for Field Work in Canada
Professional lookup and reverse lookup for Canadian NTS and Dominion Land Survey (DLS) grid references. View township and range maps, access geometry details, and export to GeoJSON or KML for field workflows.
Screenshots
Features
NTS & DLS Lookup
Fast NTS & DLS lookup with map-based verification.
Interactive Map Tools
Tap or long-press to identify locations, view grid references, and analyze topography.
Detailed Data Layers
Access advanced layers including contours, slopes, and legal land divisions down to LSDs.
Save & Organize
Bookmark important sites and access them anytime.
Export & Share
Download or share locations as GeoJSON, KML, or direct map links.
Professional Integration
Open results in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or your GIS workflow for seamless collaboration.
About CanGrid
CanGrid is a professional NTS & DLS grid reference tool for field work in Canada. It’s built for analysis-oriented land workflows — fast lookup, reverse lookup, and map-based verification when you need reliable grid references on the go.
Lookup & reverse lookup
- Search NTS and DLS references with an intuitive form
- Long-press on the map for instant reverse lookup
- Use GPS to identify your current grid reference
Map layers & geometry details
- Visual grid overlays and multiple basemaps for better field visibility
- Boundaries, centroid and corner coordinates for quick verification
- Optional terrain context like contours and slope (where available)
Export and share for professional workflows
- Export to GeoJSON or KML for GIS tools and Google Earth
- Share locations via deep links with your team
- Open locations in your preferred navigation apps
Coverage
CanGrid supports standard NTS 1:250k and 1:50k sheets and DLS coverage including Townships, Ranges, Sections, Quarters and Legal Subdivisions (LSDs). Selected areas include ultra-detailed NTS grids at 1:1000 (e.g., 72, 82, 83, 94, 106).
Built for field professionals
Common use cases include field survey support, forestry and environmental work, engineering and infrastructure projects, and any workflow that relies on fast Canadian grid references and clean export formats.
Guides
Start here if you want to understand the Dominion Land Survey system, township & range, and legal land descriptions. Learn the basics and workflows behind NTS and DLS systems:
- Dominion Land Survey (DLS) system explained
- Convert legal land descriptions to coordinates
- Township & range maps for Alberta & Saskatchewan
Disclaimer
CanGrid is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Canadian government or any of its agencies. Grid data is derived from publicly available sources and provided for informational purposes only. While accuracy is continuously improved, data may not be 100% accurate or up to date — please validate critical information with official sources.
FAQ
What is the Dominion Land Survey system?
The Dominion Land Survey system (DLS) is the land grid framework used across much of Western Canada. It divides land into meridians, townships, ranges, sections, quarters, and legal subdivisions (LSDs). The DLS system is commonly used in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba for land referencing in field survey, forestry, engineering, and environmental workflows.
What is the difference between NTS and the Dominion Land Survey system?
NTS (National Topographic System) is a map sheet reference system used to identify 1:250k and 1:50k map sheets across Canada. The Dominion Land Survey system (DLS) is a township-range grid system used primarily in Western Canada. While NTS organizes topographic maps, DLS defines land grid references such as township, range, section, and LSD. CanGrid supports both NTS and DLS lookup and reverse lookup.
How do you read township and range in Canada?
To read township and range, you identify: - Meridian (e.g. W4, W5) - Township number (north-south position) - Range number (east-west position) - Section (1-36 within a township) - Quarter or Legal Subdivision (LSD) This structure forms the Dominion Land Survey grid used in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. CanGrid allows you to enter township and range values directly or identify them via reverse lookup.
How do you read a legal land description?
A legal land description typically includes: LSD or Quarter - Section - Township - Range - Meridian. Example format: NE-12-39-3-W4 This describes a specific subdivision within the Dominion Land Survey system. In field workflows, this reference can be converted to map coordinates for visualization and export.
How do you convert a legal land description to coordinates?
To convert a legal land description to latitude and longitude, the DLS reference (township, range, section, LSD) must be mapped to its geographic position. With CanGrid, you can: - Enter a legal land description - View its map location - Access geometry details - Export the location to GeoJSON or KML Reverse lookup also allows converting GPS coordinates back to a DLS grid reference.
Where can I find a township and range map for Alberta or Saskatchewan?
Township and range maps are based on the Dominion Land Survey grid system. CanGrid provides map-based visualization of township and range references in Alberta and Saskatchewan, including section and LSD breakdown where available. This allows field professionals to verify grid references directly on a mobile map.
How accurate is Dominion Land Survey grid data?
Dominion Land Survey data is derived from publicly available datasets and is suitable for reference and field verification workflows. However, for legal boundary decisions or official land transactions, users should confirm data against authoritative government sources.