What tool is typically used to measure both horizontal and vertical dimensions accurately on a site?

The transit or theodolite is a precise instrument specifically designed for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles, making it ideal for surveying and layout tasks in construction, excavation, and grading projects. This tool employs optical and electronic components to deliver accurate readings, enabling surveyors to establish site geometry, align structures, and ensure correct drainage gradients.

Measuring horizontal and vertical dimensions is crucial for creating well-defined plans that adhere to engineering specifications, and the transit or theodolite offers the accuracy necessary for these tasks. It facilitates the establishment of reference points and helps ensure that elevations and alignments are as intended.

In contrast, while a level primarily helps determine horizontal planes and a measuring tape is useful for basic length measurements, neither provides the comprehensive angular measurement capabilities of a transit or theodolite. A surveying rod, while useful in conjunction with other tools, does not measure angles on its own.