Bearing Area Divider
Enter a closed traverse (bearing + distance for each side), a bearing for the dividing line, and a target split — this finds exactly where that line must sit to cut the parcel into the two areas you need.
Field aid, not a certified result. Enter every distance in the same unit — outputs are in that unit squared. Verify against known control before using for a legal description.
Traverse (bearing °, distance)
Dividing line
Add at least 3 sides and fill in every field to compute the divider.
Dividing a parcel by a line of given bearing
Quick answer: When a dividing line’s direction is fixed but its exact position isn’t, the parcel can be split into a target area ratio by sliding a line of that bearing across the shape until the area on one side matches the target — this tool finds that position numerically rather than by trial and error in the field.
The traverse defines the parcel as a sequence of bearings and distances, starting from an arbitrary origin. From these, each corner’s coordinates are computed, and the total enclosed area follows from the standard coordinate (shoelace) method. Because the dividing line’s bearing is fixed, every possible position of that line can be described by a single offset value — sliding it from one side of the parcel to the other sweeps the enclosed area on one side from zero up to the full total, and the correct offset for any target area can be found by narrowing in on it directly.
This differs from simply bisecting a shape by area with an unconstrained line — here the direction is fixed by the bearing you supply, which is the common real-world case: a division line often has to follow a required direction, such as being parallel to a road frontage or an existing boundary, while its exact position is what needs to be solved for.
Reading the output
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Crossing 1 / 2 | Where the dividing line meets the boundary, given as the traverse side it falls on and the distance along that side from its starting corner |
| Dividing line length | Distance between the two crossing points — the length of new boundary created by the split |
| Linear misclosure | How far the traverse’s last computed point falls from its starting point — a data-entry check, not part of the area math |
A large misclosure relative to the perimeter usually means a bearing or distance was entered incorrectly.
Frequently asked questions
What does “bearing” mean in the traverse input?
Each side is entered as an azimuth bearing in decimal degrees, measured clockwise from north (0° to 360°), together with its distance. The tool converts these into coordinates to build the parcel shape.
Why do I specify a bearing for the dividing line but not its position?
That’s the actual problem being solved. In practice, a dividing line often must run in a required direction, such as parallel to a road or an existing boundary. The tool finds exactly where along that direction the line must sit to hit your target area.
What if the dividing line crosses the boundary more than twice?
That happens with non-convex (irregular, indented) parcels and makes the split ambiguous. The tool will flag this rather than presenting a potentially misleading result — check the shape and bearing manually in that case.
What units does this use?
Whatever distance unit you enter consistently for every side — the area results come out in that same unit, squared. Meters and feet both work as long as you don’t mix them.
What does linear misclosure tell me?
It’s the gap between where your traverse’s final computed point lands and where it started. A properly closed traverse should have a very small misclosure relative to its perimeter; a large one usually points to a data entry error.
Does this replace a licensed survey or legal description?
No. This is a calculation aid for planning and checking a division. Any parcel split intended for legal or recording purposes should be prepared and certified by a licensed surveyor.
