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Convert PNG94 to WGS 84

Convert coordinates from PNG94 (EPSG:5546) to WGS 84 (EPSG:4326) — official EPSG transformation parameters, accuracy and area of use, with a free in-browser converter.

Direct link to this transformation: epsgtransform.com/transform/epsg-5546-to-epsg-4326

About converting PNG94 to WGS 84

PNG94 (EPSG:5546) is Papua New Guinea's geodetic datum, an ITRF92 realisation at epoch 1994.0 on the GRS 1980 ellipsoid. PNG sits on some of the fastest-moving tectonic terrain on Earth — parts of the country move several centimetres per year, in different directions on different plates.

That motion is why PNG94-to-WGS 84 conversions degrade over time: the EPSG operation is exact only at the reference epoch, and the ground has been moving since 1994. For mapping this rarely matters; for engineering it can.

PNG's mining and LNG industries are the main consumers of these conversions, usually via the PNG94 / PNGMG94 projected zones (EPSG:5550–5552).

Why people convert EPSG:5546 to EPSG:4326

  • Publishing PNGMG94 mining and exploration data globally
  • Integrating GPS field data with national PNG94 mapping
  • Converting LNG and infrastructure project coordinates
  • Quantifying epoch-related drift in long-running projects

Try it: Port Moresby, PNG

Input (EPSG:5546): 147.1797, -9.4438

Official EPSG transformation from PNG94 to WGS 84

The EPSG Geodetic Parameter Dataset defines 1 transformation between PNG94 (EPSG:5546) and WGS 84 (EPSG:4326). Its parameters, accuracy and area of use are listed below.

PNG94 to WGS 84 (1)

EPSG:5553±2 m
Method:
Geocentric translations (geog2D domain)
Area of use:
Papua New Guinea
Scope:
(null/copy) Approximation for medium and low accuracy applications assuming equality between plate-fixed static and earth-fixed dynamic CRSs, ignoring static/dynamic CRS differences.
ParameterValueUnit
X-axis translation(tx)0metre
Y-axis translation(ty)0metre
Z-axis translation(tz)0metre

Exact in 1994 but due to significant and variable tectonic activity in PNG, in 2011 PNG94 and WGS 84 differ generally by 2m but in areas of significant tectonic activity differences can exceed 9m.

Convert EPSG:5546 to EPSG:4326 in code

The same transformation with common GIS tools and libraries:

from pyproj import Transformer

transformer = Transformer.from_crs("EPSG:5546", "EPSG:4326", always_xy=True)
x, y = transformer.transform(-73.9857, 40.7484)
print(x, y)

Source: EPSG:5546 — PNG94

geographic system using latitude and longitude on an ellipsoid · Area of use: Papua New Guinea

+proj=longlat +ellps=GRS80 +towgs84=0,0,0,0,0,0,0 +no_defs +type=crs
More about EPSG:5546 →

Target: EPSG:4326 — WGS 84

geographic system using latitude and longitude on an ellipsoid · Area of use: World (by country)

+proj=longlat +datum=WGS84 +no_defs +type=crs
More about EPSG:4326 →

Frequently asked questions

Why do PNG94 and WGS 84 coordinates diverge over time?
PNG94 is fixed to the ground at epoch 1994.0 while WGS 84 tracks the global frame; plate motion of up to ~7 cm/year accumulates as a growing offset — over 2 m since 1994 in places.
What are PNGMG94 zones?
PNG Map Grid 1994 — UTM-style Transverse Mercator zones 54–56 on the PNG94 datum (EPSG:5550–5552), the standard projected systems for PNG.
How accurate is converting PNG94 to WGS 84?
The most accurate official EPSG transformation between these systems is accurate to about ±2 m within its stated area of use. Browser-based converters approximate datum shifts with Helmert parameters; for surveying-grade work apply the official transformation in a desktop GIS.
Does my data leave the browser when I use this converter?
No. All coordinate transformations are computed locally in your browser using proj4js. The coordinates you enter are never transmitted to any server.
Need the reverse? Convert EPSG:4326 to EPSG:5546 →