How to work out Compass Bearings

 

 

 

The four main directions of a compass are known as the cardinal points.

 

 

 

Where the NE, NW, SE and SW would be referred to as the half cardinal points.

 

 

 

The North represents                0⁰ or 360⁰

The East represents                      90⁰

The South represents                  180⁰

The West represents                    270⁰

 

 

 

 

 

Here we are looking at conventional bearings;

 

These are stated as the number of degrees to the East or West of the North / South line.

 

Therefore the conventional bearing will simpily be referred to as the direction.

 

Example (i)

 

The position of B is 38⁰ East of North.

 

So the direction is written as N 38⁰ E

 

 

 

Example (ii)

 

The position of A is 70⁰ East of South

 

So the direction is written as S 70⁰ E

 

 

 

 Example (iii)

 

The position of A is 30⁰ West of South

 

So the direction is written as S 30⁰ W

 

 

 

 

Example (iv)

 

The position of A is 25⁰ West of North

 

So the direction is written as N 25⁰ W

 

 

 

 

 Example (v)

In the follow up hub I will be looking at three figure bearings.

 

(True bearings)

 

The true bearing of a point is the angle measured in degrees,

 

in a clockwise direction from the North Line.