MSL vs AGL — definitions and sectional chart rule?

essential airspace
  • AGL — Above Ground Level (height above terrain).
  • MSL — Mean Sea Level (absolute elevation).
  • On sectional charts: all altitudes MSL unless in parentheses(12) means 1 200 ft AGL.
  • Add 00 to the printed number.
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Parens = AGL. No parens = MSL. Always add 00. So 70/30 = 7000/3000 MSL; (12) = 1200 AGL.