Coordinate Systems Guide (East Africa)

Field-ready CRS guidance for GNSS, GIS, RINEX, and geodetic work across Kenya and the East Africa region.

Login GSM / Wi-Fi guide Android app Setup guide
Always confirm the project-specified coordinate reference system, datum, transformation parameters, and height reference before cadastral work, setting-out, or legal deliverables.

Common CRS choices

Use this shortlist to identify whether your data is geographic, projected for measurement, web-map display, or legacy survey work.

CRS EPSG Units Use Watch
WGS 84 geographic EPSG:4326 degrees GNSS latitude/longitude, CSV exchange, Google Earth/KML import/export. Do not measure distance or area directly in degrees.
WGS 84 3D EPSG:4979 degrees + ellipsoidal height GNSS coordinates that include ellipsoidal height. Ellipsoidal height is not the same as orthometric/MSL height.
WGS 84 / Web Mercator EPSG:3857 metres Web basemaps such as Google, OpenStreetMap, and browser map tiles. Use for display only; not cadastral survey measurements.
WGS 84 / UTM zone 36N EPSG:32636 metres Modern GNSS/GIS projects north of the equator, 30E to 36E. Use 32736 instead when south of the equator.
WGS 84 / UTM zone 36S EPSG:32736 metres Modern GNSS/GIS projects south of the equator, 30E to 36E. Typical for western Kenya, Uganda south, Rwanda, Burundi, and western/central Tanzania.
WGS 84 / UTM zone 37N EPSG:32637 metres Modern GNSS/GIS projects north of the equator, 36E to 42E. Use 32737 south of the equator.
WGS 84 / UTM zone 37S EPSG:32737 metres Modern GNSS/GIS projects south of the equator, 36E to 42E. Typical for central/eastern Kenya and eastern Tanzania.

East Africa reference systems map

Coloured bands show WGS 84 UTM zones (34–39) and the equator split. Click the map or use the locator to see the EPSG code and zone for your site; country CRS details are in the panel below.

UTM longitude band Equator and N/S EPSG split Kenya Cassini 2-degree belts Kenya reference extent East Africa reference extent Regional/national reference checks Approximate country position Selected site Country CRS extent (shaded)
Recommended measurement CRS Enter site coordinates
EPSG code -
Location context Use decimal degrees within East Africa to get UTM, EPSG, and local reference guidance.
Kenya detailed reference systems map

For Kenya jobs, open the Geodetic Tools map to inspect UTM 36/37, the equator split, Cassini 2-degree belts, and KENREF control monuments on the interactive map.

Open Kenya reference map
Coordinate systems by country (map reference)

Quick CRS lookup for each East Africa country on the reference map. Hover country shading for details; use the locator or click the map for a specific site.

Burundi
Zone: 35S, 36S
EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736

WGS 84 / UTM 35S or 36S depending on longitude (south of the equator).

Djibouti
Zone: 38N, 39N
EPSG:32638, EPSG:32639

WGS 84 / UTM 38N or 39N (north of the equator).

DR Congo (east)
Zone: 34S, 35S, 36S
EPSG:32734, EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736

WGS 84 / UTM 34S–36S for eastern DRC GNSS/GIS (south of the equator).

Eritrea
Zone: 37N, 38N
EPSG:32637, EPSG:32638

WGS 84 / UTM 37N or 38N (north of the equator).

Ethiopia
Zone: 36N, 37N, 38N, 39N
EPSG:32636, EPSG:32637, EPSG:32638, EPSG:32639

WGS 84 / UTM 36N–39N by longitude (north of the equator for most of the country).

Kenya
Zone: 36N, 36S, 37N, 37S
EPSG:32636, EPSG:32736, EPSG:32637, EPSG:32737

WGS 84 / UTM 36N, 36S, 37N, or 37S depending on longitude and hemisphere.

Rwanda
Zone: 35S, 36S
EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736

TM Rwanda / ITRF2005 for cadastral work; WGS 84 / UTM 35S or 36S for GNSS/GIS exchange.

Somalia
Zone: 38S, 39S
EPSG:32738, EPSG:32739

WGS 84 / UTM 38S or 39S (most of the country is south of the equator).

South Sudan
Zone: 35N, 36N
EPSG:32635, EPSG:32636

WGS 84 / UTM 35N or 36N (north of the equator).

Tanzania
Zone: 35S, 36S, 37S
EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736, EPSG:32737

WGS 84 / UTM 35S, 36S, or 37S depending on longitude.

Uganda
Zone: 36N, 36S
EPSG:32636, EPSG:32736, EPSG:10793, EPSG:10794

UGRF / UTM 36N (EPSG:10793) or 36S (EPSG:10794); WGS 84 / UTM 36N/S for GNSS exchange.

All East Africa UTM coordinate system zones shown on the map
Zone Longitude band North EPSG South EPSG Where it applies
34 18E to 24E EPSG:32634 EPSG:32734 Western Tanzania, eastern DRC border, far western lake projects
35 24E to 30E EPSG:32635 EPSG:32735 Western Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, far western Uganda
36 30E to 36E EPSG:32636 EPSG:32736 Uganda, western Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, central Tanzania
37 36E to 42E EPSG:32637 EPSG:32737 Central/eastern Kenya, eastern Tanzania, western Ethiopia
38 42E to 48E EPSG:32638 EPSG:32738 Eastern Ethiopia, South Sudan border, central Horn projects
39 48E to 54E EPSG:32639 EPSG:32739 Eastern Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, western Indian Ocean coast
Reference systems for the selected location
Layer What to use it for EPSG
GNSS / exchange Raw receiver positions, CSV/KML interchange, and latitude/longitude records. EPSG:4326 / EPSG:4979
Measurement / survey grid Enter a site location to select the correct WGS 84 UTM zone and hemisphere. -
Web map display Browser basemaps and visual overlays only; avoid cadastral measurement in Web Mercator. EPSG:3857
Legacy / cadastral check Confirm local datum, older Arc 1960, UGRF, TM Rwanda, Cassini, or project-specific requirements before legal deliverables. -

This is a CRS selection aid, not a legal boundary map. Use project control, official transformations, and client specifications for final survey deliverables.

Coordinate systems reference index

Use this index to understand the symbols, zones, and reference systems used by the East Africa map.

Map symbols
UTM longitude boundary or guide line.
Latitude/longitude guide line used to orient the map.
Equator line where UTM changes from north EPSG:326xx to south EPSG:327xx.
Highlighted selected coordinate system zone after location lookup.
Selected site or browser location marker.
Reference city / regional orientation pointer.
Reference layers
WGS 84 EPSG:4326, EPSG:4979
Web map display EPSG:3857
UTM north hemisphere EPSG:32634 - EPSG:32639 (East Africa map)
UTM south hemisphere EPSG:32734 - EPSG:32739 (East Africa map)
Kenya legacy checks EPSG:21096, 21036, 21097, 21037
Uganda UGRF checks EPSG:10793, EPSG:10794
EPSG and CRS meaning references
Term Meaning Examples
EPSG A numeric identifier for a defined coordinate reference system or transformation in the EPSG registry. EPSG:4326, EPSG:32737
CRS The full coordinate reference system: datum, coordinate axes, units, and projection if projected. WGS 84 / UTM zone 37S
Datum The earth reference frame used before projection. Mixing datums can shift coordinates even in the same UTM zone. WGS 84, Arc 1960, UGRF
Projection The mathematical method used to flatten the earth to metres for measurement or mapping. UTM, Transverse Mercator, Cassini-Soldner
EPSG:326xx WGS 84 UTM zones in the northern hemisphere. The last two digits are the UTM zone number. EPSG:32636, EPSG:32637
EPSG:327xx WGS 84 UTM zones in the southern hemisphere. The last two digits are the UTM zone number. EPSG:32736, EPSG:32737
EPSG:3857 Web Mercator used by browser basemaps. Useful for display, not precise survey measurement. Web map display
Country reference index
Country Zone EPSG Modern / GNSS Legacy / local
Burundi 35S, 36S EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736 WGS 84 / UTM 35S or 36S depending on longitude (south of the equator). Arc 1960 / UTM 35S or 36S may appear in regional legacy datasets.
Djibouti 38N, 39N EPSG:32638, EPSG:32639 WGS 84 / UTM 38N or 39N (north of the equator). Older French/military grids or local project CRS may appear on legacy plans.
DR Congo (east) 34S, 35S, 36S EPSG:32734, EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736 WGS 84 / UTM 34S–36S for eastern DRC GNSS/GIS (south of the equator). Legacy Clarke/Arc-type grids and mining lease CRS are common — use project parameters.
Eritrea 37N, 38N EPSG:32637, EPSG:32638 WGS 84 / UTM 37N or 38N (north of the equator). Ethiopian/Eritrean national grids and older topographic systems may appear on legacy sheets.
Ethiopia 36N, 37N, 38N, 39N EPSG:32636, EPSG:32637, EPSG:32638, EPSG:32639 WGS 84 / UTM 36N–39N by longitude (north of the equator for most of the country). Older national Adindan/Clarke-type or local project grids may appear on legacy mapping.
Kenya 36N, 36S, 37N, 37S EPSG:32636, EPSG:32736, EPSG:32637, EPSG:32737 WGS 84 / UTM 36N, 36S, 37N, or 37S depending on longitude and hemisphere. Arc 1960 / UTM 36N (EPSG:21096), 36S (EPSG:21036), 37N (EPSG:21097), 37S (EPSG:21037); Cassini-Soldner on older plans.
Rwanda 35S, 36S EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736 TM Rwanda / ITRF2005 for cadastral work; WGS 84 / UTM 35S or 36S for GNSS/GIS exchange. Rwanda Transverse Mercator (CM ~30E) on land-administration deliverables.
Somalia 38S, 39S EPSG:32738, EPSG:32739 WGS 84 / UTM 38S or 39S (most of the country is south of the equator). Italian/British colonial grids and local port grids may appear on older plans.
South Sudan 35N, 36N EPSG:32635, EPSG:32636 WGS 84 / UTM 35N or 36N (north of the equator). Sudan/South Sudan legacy grids and oil-field local CRS are common on older projects.
Tanzania 35S, 36S, 37S EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736, EPSG:32737 WGS 84 / UTM 35S, 36S, or 37S depending on longitude. Arc 1960 / UTM 35S (EPSG:21035), 36S (EPSG:21036), 37S (EPSG:21037).
Uganda 36N, 36S EPSG:32636, EPSG:32736, EPSG:10793, EPSG:10794 UGRF / UTM 36N (EPSG:10793) or 36S (EPSG:10794); WGS 84 / UTM 36N/S for GNSS exchange. Arc 1960 / UTM 36N or 36S in older regional datasets.

East Africa country guide

Coordinate systems by country: typical WGS 84 UTM zones, modern GNSS/GIS CRS, legacy grids, and field notes. Confirm the client specification before cadastral or legal deliverables.

Country Zone EPSG Modern / GNSS Legacy / local Field note
Burundi 35S, 36S EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736 WGS 84 / UTM 35S or 36S depending on longitude (south of the equator). Arc 1960 / UTM 35S or 36S may appear in regional legacy datasets. Confirm datum before transforming legacy Arc 1960 data to WGS 84.
Djibouti 38N, 39N EPSG:32638, EPSG:32639 WGS 84 / UTM 38N or 39N (north of the equator). Older French/military grids or local project CRS may appear on legacy plans. Small extent; most work is zone 38N. Confirm client CRS for port and defence projects.
DR Congo (east) 34S, 35S, 36S EPSG:32734, EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736 WGS 84 / UTM 34S–36S for eastern DRC GNSS/GIS (south of the equator). Legacy Clarke/Arc-type grids and mining lease CRS are common — use project parameters. Eastern DRC spans multiple zones; always confirm the client grid and transformation.
Eritrea 37N, 38N EPSG:32637, EPSG:32638 WGS 84 / UTM 37N or 38N (north of the equator). Ethiopian/Eritrean national grids and older topographic systems may appear on legacy sheets. Red Sea coast projects often use zone 37N; eastern areas may use 38N.
Ethiopia 36N, 37N, 38N, 39N EPSG:32636, EPSG:32637, EPSG:32638, EPSG:32639 WGS 84 / UTM 36N–39N by longitude (north of the equator for most of the country). Older national Adindan/Clarke-type or local project grids may appear on legacy mapping. Pick zone by longitude; far east (Somali region) may use 38N or 39N.
Kenya 36N, 36S, 37N, 37S EPSG:32636, EPSG:32736, EPSG:32637, EPSG:32737 WGS 84 / UTM 36N, 36S, 37N, or 37S depending on longitude and hemisphere. Arc 1960 / UTM 36N (EPSG:21096), 36S (EPSG:21036), 37N (EPSG:21097), 37S (EPSG:21037); Cassini-Soldner on older plans. East of 36E → zone 37; west of 36E → zone 36. Use N/S by latitude.
Rwanda 35S, 36S EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736 TM Rwanda / ITRF2005 for cadastral work; WGS 84 / UTM 35S or 36S for GNSS/GIS exchange. Rwanda Transverse Mercator (CM ~30E) on land-administration deliverables. Follow the project/client CRS for cadastral or land administration work.
Somalia 38S, 39S EPSG:32738, EPSG:32739 WGS 84 / UTM 38S or 39S (most of the country is south of the equator). Italian/British colonial grids and local port grids may appear on older plans. Long eastern coast spans zone 39S; central/western areas often zone 38S.
South Sudan 35N, 36N EPSG:32635, EPSG:32636 WGS 84 / UTM 35N or 36N (north of the equator). Sudan/South Sudan legacy grids and oil-field local CRS are common on older projects. Western areas may use 35N; most national GNSS/GIS work uses 36N.
Tanzania 35S, 36S, 37S EPSG:32735, EPSG:32736, EPSG:32737 WGS 84 / UTM 35S, 36S, or 37S depending on longitude. Arc 1960 / UTM 35S (EPSG:21035), 36S (EPSG:21036), 37S (EPSG:21037). West → 35S; central → 36S; east (Zanzibar coast) → 37S.
Uganda 36N, 36S EPSG:32636, EPSG:32736, EPSG:10793, EPSG:10794 UGRF / UTM 36N (EPSG:10793) or 36S (EPSG:10794); WGS 84 / UTM 36N/S for GNSS exchange. Arc 1960 / UTM 36N or 36S in older regional datasets. Most work is zone 36. Use UGRF when specs require Uganda Geodetic Reference Frame.

WGS 84 UTM zone lookup

UTM zones are six-degree longitude bands. Pick the zone from longitude and the hemisphere from latitude.

Zone Longitude band North EPSG South EPSG East Africa use
34 18E to 24E EPSG:32634 EPSG:32734 Western Tanzania, eastern DRC border, far western lake projects
35 24E to 30E EPSG:32635 EPSG:32735 Western Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, far western Uganda
36 30E to 36E EPSG:32636 EPSG:32736 Uganda, western Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, central Tanzania
37 36E to 42E EPSG:32637 EPSG:32737 Central/eastern Kenya, eastern Tanzania, western Ethiopia
38 42E to 48E EPSG:32638 EPSG:32738 Eastern Ethiopia, South Sudan border, central Horn projects
39 48E to 54E EPSG:32639 EPSG:32739 Eastern Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, western Indian Ocean coast

Rule of thumb: longitudes 30E-36E use zone 36; 36E-42E use zone 37. North of the equator uses EPSG:326xx; south uses EPSG:327xx.

Field workflow

Use this checklist before transforming coordinates, uploading data to a rover, or delivering survey files.

Start from the deliverable

Check whether the client wants latitude/longitude, UTM, Arc 1960, Cassini/local grid, or a project-specific cadastral CRS.

Confirm datum before projection

UTM is only the grid. A WGS 84 UTM coordinate and an Arc 1960 UTM coordinate can use the same zone but land in different places.

Pick zone by longitude

East Africa spans UTM zones 34–39 (18E to 54E). Zone number = floor((longitude + 180) / 6) + 1; choose N/S at the equator (EPSG 326xx north, 327xx south).

Keep heights explicit

Record whether heights are ellipsoidal, orthometric/MSL, or tied to a local benchmark/geoid model.

Transform, do not relabel

In QGIS/ArcGIS, define the source CRS correctly first, then export/reproject to the target CRS. Do not simply assign a new CRS to misaligned data.

CRS troubleshooting

Most CRS errors come from mixing datum, UTM zone, hemisphere, or height reference.

Layer appears hundreds of kilometres away

Check UTM zone, hemisphere, and datum. A zone 36/37 mix-up or N/S mix-up is common near Kenya and Uganda.

Coordinates look like 0.3, 36.8

Those are likely decimal degrees, not metres. Use WGS 84 geographic (EPSG:4326) before projecting.

Coordinates look like 500000, 9860000

Those are likely UTM metres in the southern hemisphere. Confirm zone and datum before conversion.

Old survey plan mentions Cassini

Treat it as a local/legacy grid. Ask for the origin, belt, datum, and transformation parameters before using it in GNSS software.

Measurements differ after conversion

Use the official project transformation parameters and verify against known control points before field stakeout.