A to Z GIS | Explore this related guide, featuring updated terms and graphics and developed in coordination with Esri’s GIS Dictionary team.
Learn more about A to Z GIS
GIS Dictionary
Browse dictionary
scale
URL copiedShare URL
[cartography, measurement]
A ratio between the distance shown on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground. For example, a map scale of 1:100,000 means one unit of measure on the map represents 100,000 of those same units on the earth.
[mathematics]
In mathematical or double precision, the number of digits to the right of a decimal point in a number. For example, the number 567.89 has a scale of 2.