---
type: "gdt-symbol"
name: "Position"
symbol: "⌖"
unicode: "U+2316"
unicode_name: "POSITION INDICATOR"
category: "location"
category_name: "Location controls"
datum_required: "always"
tolerance_zone: "A cylinder (or two parallel planes) centred on the true position"
aliases: ["true position", "position gdt", "true position tolerance"]
standard: "ASME Y14.5 (cited, not reproduced); ISO 1101"
verified: "August 1, 2026"
url: https://shopmath.org/gdt/position
---

# Position (⌖) — GD&T Symbol, Tolerance Zone and Datum Rules

The workhorse of the system. Basic dimensions from the datum reference frame fix an exact ideal location, and the tolerance defines a zone around it that the feature's axis or centre plane must stay within. Because a round zone is a diameter rather than a square envelope, position gives about 57 percent more usable area than an equivalent coordinate tolerance.

- **Symbol**: ⌖ (Unicode U+2316)
- **Category**: Location controls
- **Tolerance zone**: A cylinder (or two parallel planes) centred on the true position
- **Datum reference**: always references at least one datum
- **Standard**: ASME Y14.5 (cited, not reproduced); ISO 1101

## Position at a Glance

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Characteristic | Position |
| Symbol | ⌖ |
| Unicode codepoint | U+2316 |
| Unicode name | POSITION INDICATOR |
| Category | Location controls |
| Tolerance zone | A cylinder (or two parallel planes) centred on the true position |
| Datum reference | always references at least one datum |
| Standard | ASME Y14.5 (cited, not reproduced); ISO 1101 |

## How Position Behaves

Position belongs to the location controls group. Control where a feature sits relative to a datum reference frame.

## Other Location controls Controls

The controls in the same category — the ones a drawing is choosing between when it specifies position.

| Control | Symbol | Tolerance zone or effect | Datum |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Concentricity](https://shopmath.org/gdt/concentricity.md) | ◎ | A cylinder centred on the datum axis, applied to derived median points | always references at least one datum |
| [Symmetry](https://shopmath.org/gdt/symmetry.md) | ⌯ | Two parallel planes centred on the datum centre plane | always references at least one datum |

## Sources and Method for Position

### Position definition

- **Source**: Symbols and codepoints: Unicode Character Database (Unicode License v3). Characteristic list cross-checked against NASA MSFC GD&T Basics (public domain). Descriptions written from scratch; no ASME Y14.5 text reproduced.
- **Method**: compiled
- **Verified against**: Unicode Character Database codepoint check; 98/98 structural checks passed

### Assumptions

- Descriptions are original prose. No ASME Y14.5 definitional text, worked example or figure is reproduced — the standard is cited, not copied.
- Symbol glyphs and codepoints are from the Unicode Character Database; a drawing may render the same characteristic with a different font.
- Dataset scope: EXCLUDED: all ASME Y14.5 definitional text, worked examples and figures. Every description on this site is original prose.

**Data last verified**: August 1, 2026

## Common Questions About Position in GD&T

### What does Position mean in GD&T?

The workhorse of the system. Basic dimensions from the datum reference frame fix an exact ideal location, and the tolerance defines a zone around it that the feature's axis or centre plane must stay within. Because a round zone is a diameter rather than a square envelope, position gives about 57 percent more usable area than an equivalent coordinate tolerance.

### What is the GD&T symbol for position?

Position uses the ⌖ symbol — Unicode U+2316 (POSITION INDICATOR). It sits in the first compartment of the feature control frame.

### Does Position need a datum?

Position always references at least one datum. Without a datum reference frame the control has no origin to measure from.

### What is the tolerance zone for Position in GD&T?

The position tolerance zone is: A cylinder (or two parallel planes) centred on the true position.

## Related pages

- Previous control: [Parallelism](https://shopmath.org/gdt/parallelism.md) (∥)
- Next control: [Concentricity](https://shopmath.org/gdt/concentricity.md) (◎)
- All symbols: [GD&T symbol reference](https://shopmath.org/gdt.md)
- Tolerances: [ISO 286 fit reference](https://shopmath.org/fits.md)

---

*Source: [ShopMath](https://shopmath.org/gdt/position) — data verified August 1, 2026. Reference data; verify against the governing standard before manufacture.*