Meet the compass

Read a compass, follow a bearing, and understand two kinds of north.

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5 questions0m 0s

Learn the skill

Hold a magnetic compass level and away from magnets or large metal objects. Let the needle settle. The north-seeking end follows the local magnetic field. True north and magnetic north can differ; that angle is declination. Practice with an adult in a familiar safe place.

Worked example

On a compass rose, north is 0 degrees, east 90, south 180, and west 270. The map must show how it is oriented.

Compass rose with north 0, east 90, south 180, west 270 degrees and clockwise direction.

Would you believe it?

A compass and a map can disagree about north without either being broken. Magnetic north and true north are different.

USGS: magnetic declination

Question 1 What direction is opposite north? South East Northwest

Question 2 Which direction is 90 degrees on the compass rose? West South East

Question 3 How should a basic compass be held? Against a magnet Level Upside down and shaking

Question 4 What can disturb a compass reading? Nearby magnets or metal A paper pencil mark The word north

Question 5 Is up on every map always north? Yes, without exception Only on large paper No, read its north arrow

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