Wetland Classification Codes

The wetland classification codes are a series of letter and number codes that have been developed to adapt the national wetland classification system to map form. These alpha-numeric codes correspond to the classification nomenclature that best describes the habitat. (for example, PFO1A)

The Wetland Code Interpreter is a tool that will instantly provide the detailed habitat descriptions for an area represented by the wetland classification code. Enter a wetland area's code into the interpreter and obtain the classification of that wetland area as defined in Cowardin et al (1979).

Click here to open the Wetland Code Interpreter (pop-up window)

Important Documents

Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats Classification Hierarchy - Wetland Code chart (PDF) shows relationship of wetland systems (ex: estuarine), subsystems (ex: intertidal), and classes (ex: emergent wetland).
National Wetlands Classification Standard - The codes of wetland habitat types use the classification system in this Service publication: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (17MB PDF), 1979, by Cowardin, Lewis M. et al. Click here to view the HTML version of this document.
With the adoption of new Federal Wetlands Mapping Standards, the USFWS has developed an important companion document that describes the technical procedures and requirements for wetlands map data. The document entitled "Data Collection Requirements and Procedures for Mapping Wetland, Deepwater and Related Habitats of the United States" (1.8MB PDF) is intended to aid organizations or individuals mapping wetlands and applying the Cowardin et al.classification system.
Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats Mapping Codes table (PDF)