The errors may be grouped into the instrumental and personal errors.

Instrumental Errors

1. The surface of plane table not perfectly plane.

2. Bevelled edge of alidade not straight.

3. Sight vanes of alidade not perfectly perpendicular to the base.

4. Plane table clamp being loose.

5. Magnetic compass being sluggish.

6. Drawing sheet being of poor quality.

Personal Errors

1. Centering errors

2. Levelling errors

3. Orientation errors

4. Sighting errors

5. Errors in measurement

6. Plotting errors

7. Errors due to instability of tripod.