Plat
A plat is an officially recorded map that shows how a tract of land is divided into lots, including boundaries, dimensions, easements, and streets.
What a plat is
A plat (or plat map) is a surveyor-drawn, government-recorded map that subdivides a tract of land into individual lots. It shows lot boundaries and dimensions, block numbers, streets, rights-of-way, and easements. When a developer subdivides raw land, recording a plat is how the new lots become legally distinct parcels.
Plat vs. parcel
A parcel is a single unit of land with its own APN; a plat is the recorded map that defines how a larger tract was divided into those parcels. The plat is the legal source for a lot's exact boundaries and dimensions, which is why title and survey work references it.
Researching parcels in Paxiv
Paxiv maps parcel boundaries nationwide with owner, building, and validated zoning data, and links each record to the authoritative county source where recorded documents such as plats live — so you can move from a parcel on the map to its underlying records in one click. The core platform is free.
Frequently asked questions
What is a plat in real estate?
A plat is an officially recorded map showing how a tract of land is divided into lots, including their boundaries, dimensions, easements, and streets. Recording a plat is how subdivided lots become legally distinct parcels.
What is the difference between a plat and a parcel?
A parcel is a single unit of land with its own assessor's parcel number; a plat is the recorded map that defines how a larger tract was divided into those parcels. The plat is the legal source for a lot's exact boundaries.
How do I find the plat map for a property?
Plat maps are recorded with the county recorder or clerk and are often available through the county's records portal. Paxiv links each parcel to its authoritative county source so you can locate recorded documents for it.