30+ Best Surveying Tools List : With Images & Uses

Surveying is a very important part of civil engineering, which is vital to carry out before the commencement of the construction. We will discuss the 36 best surveying tools list in this article.

35+ Best Surveying  Tools List  

Name	Image	Use
1. Theodolite		Used to measure horizontal and vertical angles
2. Measuring Tape		Used to measure distance or size.
3. Total Station		It is used to determine point coordinates and can also perform leveling and theodolite tasks.
4. GPS		Used for determining a position (location).
5. Chains		Used to directly measure the linear distance between two points above the earth’s surface.
6. Arrows		Used to mark the end of the chain length
7. Pegs		Used to mark out residential boundaries and indicate points and positions of a site.
8. Compass		Used to run a traverse line.
9. Prisms		Used to reduce the scatter of the beam as it is reflected back to the total, allowing for both more accurate measurement and a longer range than the measurement can be made.
10. Tripod		Used to support surveying instruments, such as theodolites, total stations, levels, or transits.
11. Transit Levels		Used to determine the relative position of lines and objects as well.
12. Plumb Bob		Used to establish the nadir concerning gravity at a specific point.
13. Staff		Used to determine the difference in height between points.
14. Plane Table		Used to provide a solid and level surface to make field drawings, charts, and maps.
15. Spirit level		Used to check whether an instrument is in a horizontal position or not.
16.  Dumpy level		Used to determine relative height and distance among different locations of surveying land.
17.  Ranging and Offset rods		Used for measuring small offsets from the survey line when the work is ordinary.
18. Magnetic Locators		Used to locate static objects at varying depths, from small corner pins to large tanks, drums, and septic tanks.
19. Cross Staff		Used to set out the perpendicular directions for offsets
20. Alidade		Used for sighting the point in plane table surveying.
21. Plumbing Fork		Used to center the table at a specific survey location.
22. Drawing Paper		Used to draw a figure of stations plotted.
23. Tilting level		Used to determine the distance between the point where the line of collimation (line-of-sight) of the level intersects the staff and the next lower staff graduation.
24. Prism Square		Used for setting out straight lines and offset lines at 90 degrees.
25. Reversible Level		Used to establish checkpoints in the same horizontal plane.
26. Safety Gear ( Hat, ear & eye protection, etc )		Used to protect the body from accidents.
27. Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM)		Used to measure distances of up to 100 kilometers.
28. GIS		Used to collect and analyze geographic data.
29. Data Collector		Used to collect and store data.
30. White Cement		Used for marking on the ground temporarily.
31. Thread		Used to create a level line of sight that is parallel to the ruler.
32. Line Ranger		Used for locating an intermediate point in a straight line between two endpoints of the survey line.

33. Planimeter		Used to determine the area of an arbitrary two-dimensional shape (( Wikipedia: Planimeter Uses )).
34. Surveying Bipods		Used to support and keep instruments stable, especially on uneven ground.
35. Distance Measuring Wheel		Used to measure distance.
36. Ground Penetrating Radar		Used in surveying subsurface materials.