How to read a compass
Don’t get lost! How to use a compass
A compass is an indispensable tool for any traveler, hiker and orienteer. It will help you not to get lost even in the middle of nowhere or in an unfamiliar city. But knowing where the north lies is not enough. You need to know how to read compass readings correctly. In this article we will tell you how to do it.
Meet your compass friend
First of all, let’s understand the basic elements of a compass:
- Case: The protective casing of the compass. Usually round or rectangular.
- Orienting Hand: A red arrow always pointing to the magnetic north.
- Scale: A circular scale with degrees from 0 to 360 indicating the sides of the world. Can be labeled either in degrees or with the letters of the sides of the world (N, S, E, W).
- Azimuth arrow: A rotary arrow that you point at an object.
- Orienting lines (not on all compasses): Two parallel lines on the compass body that should be aligned with the north end of the scale when reading azimuth.
Deciphering the readings
Now let’s move on to practice. Here are the basic ways to use a compass:
- Determining the sides of the world: Turn the compass so that the orienting arrow aligns with the north end of the scale (N). Now you know which side of the world is.
- Determining azimuth: Azimuth is the angle between the north direction and the direction to an object. To determine the azimuth of an object, turn the compass so that the azimuth arrow points toward it. Then align the orientation lines (if any) with the north end of the scale. Now look at the value on the scale opposite the azimuth arrow. This is the azimuth of the object in degrees.
Tip: To determine the azimuth more accurately, it is better to repeat the measurement several times and take an average value.
- Map Navigation: If you have a map of the area and know your current location, you can use your compass to determine your direction of travel. To do this, find north on the map and align it with the north end of the compass scale. Now turn the map so that the route line on the map aligns with the azimuth arrow pointing to your target. Your movement will then match the direction on the map.
Don’t get lost! How to use a compass
Hold the compass steady, away from metal objects and electronics that can affect its readings.
In some cases, magnetic declination may be required. This is the difference between magnetic north (where the compass hand points) and true north (the geographic pole). Usually the magnetic declination value is indicated on the map itself next to the legend. To get true north, you must add or subtract the magnetic declination value from the azimuth obtained (depending on whether it is west or east).
Practice makes perfect
Don’t rush to test your navigational skills in the wilderness. First, practice using a compass in familiar surroundings. Try to determine the sides of the world in a park or backyard, find the azimuth of a famous building and check it against a map. The more you practice, the more confident you will feel with your compass in any situation.