How wide is each UTM zone?

Each UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) zone is defined to be 6 degrees wide in longitudinal extent. The UTM system divides the Earth into a series of zones, each of which covers 6 degrees of longitude ranging from 180 degrees West to 180 degrees East. This division allows the projection to reduce distortion in area, shape, and distance for a localized area while maintaining a reasonable level of accuracy.

Having zones that are 6 degrees wide helps manage the distortion that occurs when projecting the curved surface of the Earth onto a flat plane, which is crucial for accurate mapping and spatial analysis. As a result, within each zone, the coordinate system remains consistent, providing reliable and precise location data. Each zone is numbered from 1 to 60, starting at the International Date Line and moving eastward.

The other options representing different widths do not correspond to the UTM specifications and would result in inconsistencies and complications in mapping and spatial calculations. Therefore, 6 degrees is the standard measurement that facilitates effective geographic referencing and aligns with global mapping conventions.