How to Use a Compass & Find a Bearing

A bearing is an angle measurement between to point locations. The angle measured is relative to the north and south poles. There are two different types of bearings. An azimuth bearing uses the full 360 degrees of rotation. An azimuth bearing can be between 0 and 360 degrees. A quadrant bearing breaks up the range into four 90-degree quadrants. A quadrant bearing uses the 90-degree angle in addition to the N, S, E, and W bearings.

Instructions

    • 1

      Extend a line from the starting point to the ending point on the map.

    • 2

      Place the compass onto the map so that the N and S bearings line up with the N and S bearings on the map. The center of the compass should be at the starting point.

    • 3

      Rotate the map and compass until the needle indicating north aligns with the 0 degree marking on the compass.

    • 4

      Locate where the line from step 1 intersects the degree marking on the compass. This is the bearing.