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The terms easting and northing are geographic Cartesian coordinates for a point. Easting refers to the eastward-measured distance (or the $x$-coordinate), while northing refers to the northward-measured distance (or the $y$-coordinate). The orthogonal coordinate pair are commonly measured in metres from a horizontal datum. This simple cartographic convention comes from a methodology for determining coordinates and areas, known as the method of latitudes and departures. Eastings are the coordinates that stretch along the bottom $x$-axis on the map while northings stretch along the side $y$-axis. When using the Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system, northing is the distance to the equator, while easting is the distance to the "false easting", which is uniquely defined in each UTM zone.

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