Lot dimensions · Plats and surveys · October 13, 2026
How to Find Lot Dimensions of a Property
How to find lot dimensions of a property: check the county GIS map, recorded plat, survey and deed, then read frontage, depth and line lengths.
Lot dimensions are the lengths of each side of your parcel: how wide it is along the street, how deep it runs back, and the length of every other boundary line. You need them to plan a fence, check a setback, size an addition or compare what you own with what a listing claims. This guide covers how to find lot dimensions of a property from the county GIS map, the recorded plat, your survey and your deed, and how to read the numbers once you find them.
What lot dimensions tell you
Most lots are described by a handful of numbers:
- Frontage — the length of the line along the street. See what lot frontage means on a plat.
- Depth — how far the lot runs from the street to the rear line.
- Side and rear line lengths — on irregular, corner or cul-de-sac lots, every side can be a different length.
- Curves — lines that bend along a street are given as an arc length and radius rather than a straight distance.
- Area — square feet or acres, worked out from those lines. For acreage on its own, see how to find acreage of property.
A real estate listing might say “60 × 120,” which is shorthand for frontage by depth on a simple rectangle. Odd-shaped parcels need every side listed to be accurate.
1. Check the county GIS parcel map
The quickest free starting point is your county’s GIS parcel viewer. Search the address or parcel number, click the parcel, and look for:
- Dimension labels printed along each line on the map, which some counties show when you zoom in.
- A measure tool (often a ruler icon) that lets you click from corner to corner to get approximate lengths.
- Calculated area in the parcel record, usually in acres or square feet.
Treat these numbers as approximate. GIS parcel lines are drawn from deeds and plats for tax purposes and can be off by several feet, sometimes more in rural areas. They are useful for planning, not for building right up to a line.
2. Pull the recorded plat
If your lot is in a platted subdivision, the recorded plat is usually the best public source for lot dimensions. A surveyor drew it when the land was divided, and it shows each lot with its line lengths, bearings, curve data and often the area. You can usually find it through the county recorder, register of deeds or the plat book and page listed in your deed. Our guide on how to find a plat from a street address walks through the search, and how to read a plat map explains the labels.
Distances on a plat are commonly written in feet to two decimal places, next to a bearing such as N 89°45′10″ E. The bearing gives the direction of the line; the number after it is the length. See what a bearing on a plat map is if those angles look unfamiliar.
3. Look at your property survey
A boundary or mortgage survey from your purchase is often in your closing papers. It lists each line length and usually shows where the house, driveway and fences sit relative to the lines. If you cannot find yours, see how to find a survey of my property online, and use how to read a property survey to make sense of it.
A recent survey is the most reliable record you are likely to have, because a licensed surveyor measured the lines on the ground.
4. Read the legal description in your deed
Your deed’s legal description may hold the dimensions in one of two ways:
- Lot and block — it names the lot, block and subdivision plat. The dimensions are on that plat, not in the deed itself.
- Metes and bounds — it walks the boundary from a starting point, giving the bearing and distance of each line. Those distances are your lot dimensions. See what metes and bounds is.
Older descriptions may use chains, rods or poles instead of feet. One chain is 66 feet and one rod is 16.5 feet, so convert before comparing to a modern map. For help locating the description, see how to find the legal description of a property.
5. Other places to check
- The assessor’s property record card, which may list frontage, depth or area used for valuation.
- Building permit files and site plans drawn for past additions, pools or sheds.
- The planning or zoning office, which may hold site plans tied to approvals.
- Old listing sheets and appraisals in your own files, which often quote lot size.
Measuring on the ground
If you know where the corner markers are, you can check a line with a long tape or a measuring wheel. Our guide on how to find property corners explains what the pins and monuments usually look like. Measure between markers, not from fences or hedges, which often drift off the true line. If your measurement disagrees with the plat or survey by more than a little, or you are about to build close to a line, hire a licensed surveyor.
When the numbers don’t match
It is common for GIS, the plat, the deed and a listing to disagree slightly. In general, a current survey is the most dependable, then the recorded plat, then the deed description, with GIS and listings as rough guides. Larger gaps can point to an old error, a lot-line change that was never mapped, or a fence built in the wrong place. Setbacks are measured from the true line, so check how to find building setbacks before you plan close to an edge.
Finding lot dimensions: FAQ
How can I find my lot dimensions online for free?
Start with your county GIS parcel viewer. Search the address, click the parcel and look for dimension labels or use the measure tool. Then check whether the county recorder has the subdivision plat online, which usually lists exact line lengths.
Are GIS lot dimensions accurate?
They are approximate. GIS parcel lines are drawn for tax mapping and can be off by several feet. Use them for planning and rely on a recorded plat or a licensed survey for anything close to a line.
What does 60 x 120 mean for a lot?
It is shorthand for a rectangular lot about 60 feet wide along the street and 120 feet deep. Irregular lots need every side listed to describe them properly.
Where are lot dimensions on a plat?
Each lot line is labeled with its length, usually in feet, often beside a bearing that gives its direction. Curved lines show an arc length and radius instead.
Does my deed list lot dimensions?
A metes-and-bounds deed lists the distance of each boundary line. A lot-and-block deed refers you to a recorded plat, and the dimensions are on that plat.
Who can tell me my exact lot dimensions?
A licensed land surveyor. If your existing survey is old, records disagree, or you plan to build near a line, a new boundary survey is the reliable answer.