Geometric calculation

Perform different geometric calculations on two geometries.

What is a geometry calculation analysis?

A geometry calculation analysis is the process of using operations such as buffer, intersect, union, and nearest to create a new output geometry. The resulting geometry is commonly displayed as a shape on a map or used as input for another analysis. To execute the analysis, you can use ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript, ArcGIS Maps SDKs for Native Apps, or ArcGIS API for Python. See the code examples below.

You can use geometry calculations to:

Buffer points, lines, and polygons.
Intersect two or more geometries of the same type.
Union two or more geometries of the same type.
Find the closest coordinate.
Split a geometry into multiple geometries.
Add vertices or densify a geometry.
Simplify or correct a geometry.

How to calculate geometries

To perform a calculation on a geometry you typically:

Create one or more geometries.
Perform the operation.

Types of calculations

Below is a list of common operations supported by most ArcGIS client APIs. For specific details about how to use the operations, see the examples below.

The table below includes some of the most popular operations for performing geometric calculations. Most operations return a measurement value or a new geometry. Multipoint, multipolyline, and multipolygon geometry types are also supported.

Operation	Description	Example
Boundary	Returns a polyline or polygon for the area of a geometry.
Buffer	Returns a polygon that surrounds a geometry at a specified distance.
Clip	Returns a geometry where a target geometry and envelope intersect.
Convex Hull	Returns a polygon with the shortest perimeter that encloses one or more geometries.
Cut	Returns geometries where an input polyline crosses an existing geometry.
Densify	Returns a geometry that has intermediate points at a specified distance between existing vertices.
Difference	Returns one or more geometries that are the result of the set theoretic difference between one geometry and another geometry.
Extent	Returns a rectangle geometry that encompasses the coordinates of an input geometry.
Generalize	Returns a geometry where the vertices that contribute least to the shape of the input polygon or polyline are removed, while retaining the characteristics of the shape. The number of vertices removed depends on a given spatial deviation distance
Intersect	Returns a geometry based on set theoretic intersection of the input geometries.
Nearest Coordinate	Returns the coordinate of a geometry that is closest to a specified point.
Nearest Vertex	Returns the vertex of a geometry that is closest to a specified point.
Offset	Returns a geometry that is a constant distance from an input polyline or polygon.
Reshape	Returns a geometry that takes the shape of the reshaper input where the reshaper geometry intersects the input geometry.
Simplify	Returns a geometry that is topologically correct.
Trim	Returns a geometry that intersects the input geometry and trim polyline.
Union	Returns a geometry based on the set theoretic union of the input geometries.

Code examples

Buffer

Create 1000 meter buffers around different types of geometry.

ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScriptArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScriptArcGIS Maps SDK for .NETArcGIS Maps SDK for SwiftArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt (C++)ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt (QML)ArcGIS API for Python

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          const bufferGeometry = geometryEngine.geodesicBuffer(
            geometry,
            2000,
            "meters"
          );
          console.log("The buffer geometry is:" + bufferGeometry);

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Intersect

Intersect two geometries.

ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScriptArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScriptArcGIS Maps SDK for .NETArcGIS Maps SDK for SwiftArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt (C++)ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt (QML)ArcGIS API for Python

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        const intersectGeometry = geometryEngine.intersect(polygon1, polygon2);
        console.log("The intersected geometry is:" + intersectGeometry);

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Union

Union two geometries.

ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScriptArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScriptArcGIS Maps SDK for .NETArcGIS Maps SDK for SwiftArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt (C++)ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt (QML)ArcGIS API for Python

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        const unionGeometry = geometryEngine.union(polygon1, polygon2);
        console.log("The union geometry is:" + unionGeometry);

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Nearest

Find the vertex in a polygon that is closest to each point. In this case, the polygon is a buffer created from a line. It contains many vertices.

ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScriptArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScriptArcGIS Maps SDK for .NETArcGIS Maps SDK for SwiftArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt (C++)ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt (QML)ArcGIS API for Python

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            const nearestGeometry = geometryEngine.nearestVertex(bufferGeometry, geometry);
            console.log("The nearestGeometry geometry is:" + nearestGeometry);

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Go to API reference

Tutorials

Find spatial relationships

Determine the spatial relationship between two geometries.

JavaScript

Calculate geometries

Perform buffer, intersect, union, and other geometric operations.

JavaScript

Find length and area

Get the length of a line and the area of a polygon.

JavaScript

Display projected geometries

Project geometries to a new spatial reference in a map.

JavaScript

API support

	Spatial relationship	Geometric calculation	Length and area	Projection
ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript
ArcGIS Maps SDK for .NET
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Kotlin
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Swift
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Java
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt
ArcGIS API for Python
ArcGIS REST JS
Esri Leaflet
MapBox GL JS
OpenLayers

Full supportPartial supportNo support

Tools

Map Viewer

Create, explore, and share web maps for 2D applications.

ArcGIS Pro

Explore, visualize, and analyze both 2D and 3D data with desktop GIS tools.

Mapping APIs and location services

Geometric calculation

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