Grid Scale in surface-window contour plots

When I try to make a contour plot in the surface window, I am confused about how the grid scale is generated.

For example, in the plot above, what does the 23 permille shown in the X scale-length mean? Does ODV divide the grid in degrees, kilometers, or some other unit?

I would really appreciate any clarification on how the grid spacing is defined in the surface-window interpolation.