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Experimental Projection Lab

Redefine the Equator

Tilt the equator on the globe and see Mercator stretch the world in new directions.

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Mercator projection

The map recalculates the moment the equator tilts. Watch how the same world stretches in new directions.

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3D Earth

Drag the red handle to tilt the equator. Drag the globe to spin.

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Equator handle0.0deg / 0.0deg
New north pole0.0deg / 90.0degN

Country settings

Choose which countries to highlight, then drag them to see how a tilted equator reshapes the Mercator projection.

Draggable set
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Selected countries
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Tip: Antarctica is selected by default here because its distortion is dramatic near the poles.

Custom Mercator Projection Guide

Move the equator and reshape the Mercator projection

The Mercator projection distorts area based on distance from the equator. This lab lets you redefine where that line of least distortion sits, then watch the same projection stretch the world from a new center in real time.

How the projection lab works

  1. Tilt or move the equator line across the globe.
  2. Watch countries near the new equator shrink toward true scale.
  3. See how places far from it stretch and inflate.

Why Mercator distorts the world

Mercator preserves angles and shapes for navigation, but it cannot keep area on a flat sheet. The scale factor grows toward the poles, so land far from the equator looks far larger than it really is.

More interactive map tools

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FAQ

What is a custom Mercator projection?

It is a Mercator map where you choose where the line of least distortion sits. Moving that line shows how the same projection would stretch the world from a different center.

Why does the Mercator projection distort country sizes?

Mercator preserves angles and shapes for navigation, but it cannot preserve area on a flat sheet. The scale factor grows toward the poles, so land far from the equator looks much larger than it is.

What happens when you move the equator?

Countries near your chosen equator shrink toward their true scale, while countries far from it inflate. It makes the trade-off behind every flat map visible.

Can any flat map avoid distortion entirely?

No. No flat map can keep area, shape, distance, and direction all correct at once. Every projection, including Mercator, sacrifices some properties to preserve others.