PLSS
Township, Range, and Section
The hierarchical land description system within PLSS, identifying land by its position relative to principal meridians and base lines.
Detailed Definition
Township, Range, and Section (TRS) is the standard method of describing land location within the Public Land Survey System (PLSS).
- Township (T): Identifies the horizontal row of 6-mile squares, numbered north or south from a base line (e.g., T3N = Township 3 North)
- Range (R): Identifies the vertical column of 6-mile squares, numbered east or west from a principal meridian (e.g., R5W = Range 5 West)
- Section (Sec): Identifies one of 36 one-mile-square divisions within a township, numbered 1-36
Example: "NE/4 of Section 15, T3N, R5W" describes the northeast quarter of Section 15 in Township 3 North, Range 5 West.
This system is essential for mining claims, oil and gas leases, and all land transactions on public lands.