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How to Convert GIS Distance to Feet

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are widely used to map areas, land features and regions. Geographic data stored in the database of information determine distances between points. Most GIS software packages allow the changing of units for data entry and for the output of positions. Manual manipulation of GIS data occurs in some locations, which require the ability to change from one system of measure to another. The base units found most often in GIS data are meters and miles. Converting these units into feet can simplify measurements of small distances.

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the distance between two geographic points using GIS data. The reporting of distance occurs in most instances as meters or miles depending on the total distance between the selected points. If you use GIS software to report the distance you can select the units of the output, but when the calculation occurs using manual methods you must perform the conversion by hand.
- 2
  Change miles to feet. The conversion of miles to feet requires the equality of 1 mile equals 5280 feet. Multiply the miles reported by 5,280 to find feet. For example, convert a GIS-reported distance of 13.78 miles to feet by multiplying the miles by 5,280 to yield 13.78 * 5280 = 72,758.4 feet.
- 3
  Change reported distance in meters to feet by using 1 meter equals 39.37 inches and 12 inches to the foot. Multiply the distance in meters by 39.37 and then divide the result by 12 to yield feet. For example, convert 523 meters into feet. Multiply the distance in meters by 39.37 inches per meter and divide by 12 inches per foot, (523 * 39.37) / 12 = 1,715.88 feet.

Nature