Create a square buffer around a point feature

Summary

The Buffer tool creates polygons around the input features at a specified distance. When buffering points, the output is circular by default. The instructions provided describe how to create a square buffer around a point feature.

Procedure

Note:
Both options below require an ArcGIS Desktop Advanced license; however, use Option B if the input buffer consists of multipart features. Use either option if the input buffer has singlepart features.

Option A: Use the Buffer and Minimum Bounding Geometry tools

1. Launch ArcMap, and add the point feature class or shapefile to the map.
2. Create boundaries around points at a specified distance. Navigate to ArcToolbox > Analysis Tools > Proximity > Buffer, or navigate to Geoprocessing > Buffer.
3. In the Buffer window, complete the fields. Click OK to run the tool.
4. Create square polygons for the polygon buffers created above. Navigate to ArcToolbox > Data Management Tools > Features > Minimum Bounding Geometry.
5. In the Minimum Bounding Geometry window, complete the fields as follows:
   1. Input Features: the buffer polygons created in Step 4
   2. Output Feature Class: the desired output location for square polygons
   3. Geometry Type: ENVELOPE
   4. Group Options: NONE
   5. Click OK to run the tool.

Option B: Use the Buffer and Feature Envelope To Polygon tools

1. Complete Steps 1 through 3 listed in Option A.
2. Create square polygons for the polygon buffers created above. Navigate to ArcToolbox > Data Management Tools > Features > Feature Envelope To Polygon.
3. In the Feature Envelope To Polygon window, complete the fields as follows:
   1. Input Features: the buffer polygons created in Step 2
   2. Output Feature Class: the desired output location for square polygons
   3. Click OK.

Note:
If input buffers have multipart features, check the Create multipart features (optional) check box. 

There is a square buffer around the point feature.