Coordinate precision
How many decimal places you keep in coordinates, which affects file size and geometric stability.
Category: CRS & Coordinates · Also known as: rounding, decimal precision
Definition (expanded)
More decimals means larger files and more vertices that look unique. Fewer decimals can collapse nearby points and change topology. Precision choices matter for validation, snapping, and deduplication.
Common mistakes
- Rounding too aggressively and creating self-intersections or zero-area rings.
- Keeping extreme precision and getting nearly-duplicate points that break operations.
Related terms
VertexA single coordinate point in a ring or line; polygons are made of many vertices.SimplifyReduces vertex count while approximating the shape to improve performance and reduce file size.Valid geometryA geometry that follows topological rules (closed rings, no self-intersections, properly nested holes, etc.).SnappingAdjusting vertices to line up within a distance tolerance, often used to clean boundaries before overlay operations.Duplicate vertexA repeated coordinate in sequence, often caused by editing or precision issues.