# The x-y coordinate system in the arena

The default coordinate system

By default, the x-and y- coordinates of your track are expressed relative to the center point of the background image. The positive x-axis points to the right, and the positive y-axis points upward.

Position of shapes in the coordinate system

After calibrating the arena, the Shape size and Position section at the bottom of the Arena Settings pane shows the real-world coordinates X and Y of the object currently selected.

If the arena is not calibrated yet, the coordinates X and Y are given in pixels.

Note:

▪If you click the calibration arrow line, the X and Y values are the coordinates of the center of the arrow.

▪If you click an object like a zone, X and Y are the coordinates of the geometric center of the object. Width and Height are the width and height of the rectangle around the object, respectively.

▪Remember that the value of X and Y depend on where the origin (0,0) is placed. In the default coordinates system, a negative value means that the center of the object is to the left (for X) or below (for Y) the center of the background image. See Modify the coordinate system of the arena

World point / Pixel point

In the Status bar, World point and the Pixel point indicate the current position of the mouse pointer. You can use this function to know the exact position of an object.

tip If you do not see the Status bar, choose View > Status bar.

▪World point gives you the coordinates of a point based on the calibration scale and origin, and the distance unit chosen in the Experiment Settings (see Units). The World coordinates can be positive or negative depending on where your axis origin is.

▪Pixel point gives you the coordinates of a point in pixels. The 0, 0 coordinates correspond to the top-left corner of the video image. The Pixel coordinates are always positive.