AbstractThe current availability of desk top electronic calculators appears to have increased the interest in the least squares method of traverse adjustment. But with the present methods of accuracy estimation for the observed bearings and distances, does it really give co-ordinates which have the least displacement from their true or absolute values when compared with other adjustment methods? An attempt is made in this paper to answer this question by simulation techniques.From the analysis of eleven traverses of different types and orientation it was found that the Bowditch method does in fact distort traverses much more seriously than four other methods considered. Also, the least squares method gives the least absolute traverse distortions if the accuracy rationc= (σs/S)/σasin 1″is not less than 10.