A legal description is the written text that defines the exact boundaries of a parcel of land. It is the part of a deed, mortgage, or title commitment that states precisely which land the document concerns, in words rather than on a map.
Common forms
Legal descriptions take a few forms. A metes and bounds description walks the boundary by direction and distance. A lot and block description names a lot within a recorded subdivision. A rectangular survey description locates land within the Public Land Survey System by section, township, and range.
Why the wording matters
Because the description controls what land changes hands, small errors carry real consequences. A missing call or a transposed bearing can leave a gap or an overlap with the neighboring parcel.
Checking a description
Plotting the description turns the words into a boundary you can look at. Trace reads a legal description and plots it, showing closure and precision so a professional can confirm the parcel closes before relying on it.