CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The dumpy level is primarily used for fixed crosshair leveling, which involves establishing a horizontal line of sight that can be referenced to determine elevations and create level surfaces in construction, surveying, and other civil engineering applications. This tool provides a stable platform and a telescope aligned with crosshairs, allowing surveyors to accurately measure the difference in height between points on the ground.

Its main function is to ensure that the horizontal line established remains consistent across distances, facilitating tasks such as transferring levels from one point to another and ensuring flat surfaces for structures. While the dumpy level can assist with some aspects of distance and angle measurement, these tasks are not its primary functions, which is why fixed crosshair leveling is the most accurate description of its main utility.