PostgreSQL 8.4.2 Documentation
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# 8.8. Geometric Types

Geometric data types represent two-dimensional spatial objects. Table 8-19 shows the geometric types available in PostgreSQL. The most fundamental type, the point, forms the basis for all of the other types.

Table 8-19. Geometric Types

Name | Storage Size | Representation | Description
--- | --- | --- | ---
`point` | 16 bytes | Point on a plane | (x,y)
`line` | 32 bytes | Infinite line (not fully implemented) | ((x1,y1),(x2,y2))
`lseg` | 32 bytes | Finite line segment | ((x1,y1),(x2,y2))
`box` | 32 bytes | Rectangular box | ((x1,y1),(x2,y2))
`path` | 16+16n bytes | Closed path (similar to polygon) | ((x1,y1),...)
`path` | 16+16n bytes | Open path | [(x1,y1),...]
`polygon` | 40+16n bytes | Polygon (similar to closed path) | ((x1,y1),...)
`circle` | 24 bytes | Circle | <(x,y),r> (center point and radius)

A rich set of functions and operators is available to perform various geometric operations such as scaling, translation, rotation, and determining intersections. They are explained in Section 9.11.

## 8.8.1. Points

Points are the fundamental two-dimensional building block for geometric types. Values of type `point` are specified using the following syntax:

    ( x , y )
      x , y

where `x` and `y` are the respective coordinates, as floating-point numbers.

## 8.8.2. Line Segments

Line segments (`lseg`) are represented by pairs of points. Values of type `lseg` are specified using the following syntax:

    ( ( x1 , y1 ) , ( x2 , y2 ) )
      ( x1 , y1 ) , ( x2 , y2 )
        x1 , y1   ,   x2 , y2

where `(`x1`,`y1`)` and `(`x2`,`y2`)` are the end points of the line segment.

## 8.8.3. Boxes

Boxes are represented by pairs of points that are opposite corners of the box. Values of type `box` are specified using the following syntax:

    ( ( x1 , y1 ) , ( x2 , y2 ) )
      ( x1 , y1 ) , ( x2 , y2 )
        x1 , y1   ,   x2 , y2

where `(`x1`,`y1`)` and `(`x2`,`y2`)` are any two opposite corners of the box.

Boxes are output using the first syntax. Any two opposite corners can be supplied on input, but the values will be reordered as needed to store the upper right and lower left corners.

## 8.8.4. Paths

Paths are represented by lists of connected points. Paths can be open, where the first and last points in the list are considered not connected, or closed, where the first and last points are considered connected.

Values of type `path` are specified using the following syntax:

    ( ( x1 , y1 ) , ... , ( xn , yn ) )
    [ ( x1 , y1 ) , ... , ( xn , yn ) ]
      ( x1 , y1 ) , ... , ( xn , yn )
      ( x1 , y1   , ... ,   xn , yn )
        x1 , y1   , ... ,   xn , yn

where the points are the end points of the line segments comprising the path. Square brackets (`[]`) indicate an open path, while parentheses (`()`) indicate a closed path.

Paths are output using the first or second syntax, as appropriate.

## 8.8.5. Polygons

Polygons are represented by lists of points (the vertexes of the polygon). Polygons are very similar to closed paths, but are stored differently and have their own set of support routines.

Values of type `polygon` are specified using the following syntax:

    ( ( x1 , y1 ) , ... , ( xn , yn ) )
      ( x1 , y1 ) , ... , ( xn , yn )
      ( x1 , y1   , ... ,   xn , yn )
        x1 , y1   , ... ,   xn , yn

where the points are the end points of the line segments comprising the boundary of the polygon.

Polygons are output using the first syntax.

## 8.8.6. Circles

Circles are represented by a center point and radius. Values of type `circle` are specified using the following syntax:

    < ( x , y ) , r >
    ( ( x , y ) , r )
      ( x , y ) , r
        x , y   , r

where `(`x`,`y`)` is the center point and `r` is the radius of the circle.

Circles are output using the first syntax.

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