The formula
With start latitude φ₁, longitude λ₁, distance d, bearing θ and Earth radius R = 6,371,000 m (angular distance δ = d / R):
The result is normalized to the −180°…180° longitude range, so it works across the date line. This is the same “direct” spherical calculation the Land Measure app uses to project a point by distance and bearing.
Worked example
From 37.422, −122.084, go 1,250 m on a bearing of 73.5° (east-northeast). You arrive at 37.4251920, −122.0704275. Measuring back with the distance calculator gives exactly 1,250 m at 73.5°, which is a handy check.
Laying out a deed description
Metes-and-bounds deeds describe a parcel as a chain of calls: a bearing and a distance from one corner to the next. Enter the first corner, convert each quadrant bearing to degrees (N 73°30′ E = 73.5°), and use each result as the start of the next call. If the last call doesn’t bring you back to the first corner, the gap is the description’s “misclosure”. Paste all the corners into the area from coordinates tool to get the parcel’s area.
Deed bearings may be magnetic or relative to an old survey’s north. A licensed surveyor can tell you what a specific deed means on the ground.