IOF description column: dimensions

The column giving a feature's size in metres.

Also known as: Dimensions column, Size column orienteering

Maps & navigationSport & gamesStandard profile

Meanings

The IOF control description column giving the dimensions of the feature, in metres.

Officially standardisedVerified fact
Gives the feature's dimensions in metres.
Contexts: Maps
Officially standardisedVerified fact
Is the one column that uses figures rather than symbols, so a language-free system admits numerals as the one universally readable writing.
Contexts: Maps

The sixth square box of a description row, holding numerals rather than a drawn figure, sometimes two separated by a stroke.

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

IOF Control Descriptions
International Orienteering Federation · retrieved 2026-08-25
The IOF specification defining the pictorial control description symbols, the columns of the description sheet and the meaning of each symbol within its column. Cited for a symbol's identity and defined meaning. Records describe the notation and are not competition rules.

Last reviewed 2026-08-25

Meanings

The IOF control description column giving the dimensions of the feature, in metres.

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Gives the feature's dimensions in metres.

Contexts: Maps

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Is the one column that uses figures rather than symbols, so a language-free system admits numerals as the one universally readable writing.

Contexts: Maps

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

IOF Control Descriptions
International Orienteering Federation · retrieved 2026-08-25
The IOF specification defining the pictorial control description symbols, the columns of the description sheet and the meaning of each symbol within its column. Cited for a symbol's identity and defined meaning. Records describe the notation and are not competition rules.

Last reviewed 2026-08-25