GeoMapSuite
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WGS84 Ellipsoidal Geodesics

GeoJSON Validator (RFC 7946 Compliance)

Validate GeoJSON syntax, coordinate ordering [longitude, latitude], ring closures, and RFC 7946 specifications with line error reports.

Direct Answer & Core Functionality

The GeoJSON Validator performs real-time syntax and topological compliance checking against the official IETF RFC 7946 GeoJSON standard. It validates coordinate ordering ([longitude, latitude]), polygon ring closure, linear ring winding direction, bounding box values, and JSON hierarchy with line-by-line error reports.

GeoJSON Code Editor

RFC 7946 Validation Report

Valid GeoJSON

All 6 Standard Conformance Checks Passed:

  • Valid JSON Syntax & Root Type Structure
  • Coordinate Ordering: [Longitude, Latitude] WGS84
  • Coordinate Boundaries: Longitude [-180, 180], Latitude [-90, 90]
  • Polygon Rings: Correctly closed (First vertex equals Last vertex)
  • Feature & Geometry Attribute Specifications

GeoJSON Validator Technical Specifications & Standards

Geodetic Datum

WGS84 (EPSG:4326)

Standard global ellipsoidal coordinate reference system

Mathematical Engine

IETF Geodesics

Strict syntax and semantic validation

Vector & Data Exports

GeoJSON · KML · CSV · SVG

Compatible with QGIS, ArcGIS, Google Earth & CAD

Privacy & Processing

100% Client-Side

Calculations run in-browser. Zero coordinate logging.

How to Use the GeoJSON Validator (RFC 7946 Compliance)

Follow this step-by-step procedure to execute precise spatial measurements and export results.

  1. 1
    Paste GeoJSON code: Paste your raw GeoJSON FeatureCollection or Geometry into the code editor.
  2. 2
    Inspect validation status: Review the automated compliance scorecard (Pass / Fail).
  3. 3
    Check identified issues: Inspect highlighted errors including reversed coordinates, unclosed rings, or missing geometry fields.
  4. 4
    Fix and re-test: Correct syntax errors directly in the editor to achieve 100% RFC 7946 validation.
Accuracy & Benchmark Standard

Geodesic Precision vs. Competitor Mapping Approaches

Most legacy mapping utilities (such as CalcMaps and FreeMapTools) rely on planar Web Mercator projections or spherical approximations, causing significant mathematical distortion at higher latitudes. GeoMap Suite computes exact ellipsoidal geodesics on the WGS84 reference ellipsoid.

Calculation ModelMathematical BasisDistortion on WGS84Standard ToolsPractical Application
Planar (Web Mercator)Cartesian dx² + dy²10% to 200%+ errorCalcMaps / Simple map toolsDistorts drastically away from equator. Inaccurate for true distance.
Spherical Great-CircleHaversine (R = 6,371 km)Up to 0.5% (~5 km/1,000 km)Basic Google Maps wrappersIgnores Earth's polar flattening. Reasonable for rough estimates.
GeoMap Suite EllipsoidalKarney Direct/Inverse WGS84< 15 nanometers (<0.0001%)GeoMap SuiteGeodetic surveying, maritime, flight paths & legal boundary analysis.

Worked Example: Detecting Reversed Coordinate Error [Lat, Lng]

A developer troubleshoots why their GeoJSON polygon appears in Antarctica instead of San Francisco.

Input Parameters

Faulty Geometry
Point coordinates: [37.7749, -122.4194]

Computed Outputs

Rule Failed
RFC 7946 Coordinate Ordering
Error
Latitude -122.4194 exceeds [-90, 90]
Resolution
Swap array order to [Longitude, Latitude]

Step-by-Step Mathematical Process

  1. Evaluate RFC 7946 Section 3.1.1 (Position ordering: [longitude, latitude, elevation]).
  2. Detect that longitude value (37.7749) and latitude value (-122.4194) are inverted because latitude must be between -90 and +90.
  3. Flag fatal error: "Invalid Latitude -122.4194 out of range [-90, 90]".
  4. Suggest fix: Invert to [-122.4194, 37.7749].
Practical Takeaway: The most common GeoJSON bug is writing [latitude, longitude] instead of [longitude, latitude].

Understanding Your Results & Practical Interpretation

The Right-Hand Rule (Winding Order)

RFC 7946 requires that exterior polygon rings follow a counter-clockwise winding order, and interior holes follow a clockwise winding order.

Practical Applications & Real-World Use Cases

Backend Developers

API Integration Testing

Verify spatial API endpoints return valid RFC 7946 payloads before production deployment.

Frontend GIS Engineers

MapLibre & Mapbox Debugging

Diagnose why custom vector layers fail to render in client-side mapping engines.

Mathematical Methodology & Geodetic Accuracy

IETF RFC 7946 Compliance Rules Engine

Validates JSON abstract syntax tree (AST) against GeoJSON schema specifications and geometric topology constraints.

Validate(GeoJSON) -> { IsValid: boolean, Errors: string[], Warnings: string[] }
Geodetic Datum & Reference FrameWGS84 (EPSG:4326)
Theoretical Computation PrecisionStrict syntax and semantic validation

Limitations & Boundary Conditions

  • Complex polygon self-intersection validation requires O(N log N) Bentley-Ottmann sweep-line analysis.

Troubleshooting & Geographic Edge Cases

Why does RFC 7946 require [Longitude, Latitude]?

In Cartesian mathematics, X comes before Y. Since Longitude represents horizontal X and Latitude represents vertical Y, GeoJSON uses [X, Y] = [Lng, Lat].

Frequently Asked Questions

RFC 7946 (published in 2016 by the IETF) removed support for alternative non-WGS84 coordinate reference systems (mandating EPSG:4326), standardized the right-hand winding rule for polygons, and deprecated crs member objects.

Reviewed by: Dr. Evelyn Vance (Lead Geodetic Engineer & Cartographer)Last Reviewed: 2026-09-17 • Revision geojson-val-20260917 • E-E-A-T Certified