How to Use a Map and Compass

Learning how to use a map and compass is one of the most valuable skills you can develop for walking, hiking and exploring the outdoors.

Although smartphones and GPS devices have made navigation easier, a traditional map and compass remain reliable tools that don't depend on batteries or mobile reception.

This beginner's guide explains how to orientate a map, understand compass bearings, follow a direction and avoid common navigation mistakes.

What Equipment Do You Need?

To get started, you'll need:

• A suitable walking map: An Ordnance Survey Explorer 1:25,000 or Landranger 1:50,000 map is a common choice for UK walking.
• A baseplate compass: Ideally with a rotating housing, direction-of-travel arrow and orientating lines.
• A map case: Useful for protecting paper maps in wet weather.
• A pencil: For recording route information and bearings.

Choose a familiar, relatively straightforward location to practise before attempting navigation in remote or exposed terrain.

Understanding Your Compass

Before taking a bearing, familiarise yourself with the main parts of a baseplate compass.

Magnetic Needle

The magnetic needle rotates freely and its north-seeking end points towards magnetic north when the compass is held level and away from interference.

Rotating Compass Housing

The circular housing is marked in degrees, usually from 0° to 360°.

Rotating the housing allows you to set a bearing.

Direction-of-Travel Arrow

This arrow is marked on the baseplate and indicates the direction you should travel when following a bearing.

Orientating Arrow and Lines

These markings inside the rotating housing help align the compass with the north-south grid lines on a map.

Baseplate

The transparent baseplate allows you to position the compass directly over a route on your map.

Understanding North on a Map and Compass

There are three different north references worth understanding.

• True north: The direction towards the geographical North Pole.
• Grid north: The direction indicated by the north-south grid lines on a map.
• Magnetic north: The direction indicated by the north-seeking end of a compass needle.

These directions are not necessarily identical.

The difference between grid north and magnetic north is important when transferring bearings between a map and compass.

This difference varies by location and changes over time, so use current magnetic variation information for the area in which you're navigating.

Step 1: Learn to Read Your Map

Before using your compass, spend some time understanding the information shown on your map.

Look for:

• Footpaths, tracks and roads.
• Rivers, streams and lakes.
• Woodland, buildings and other landmarks.
• Contour lines showing the shape of the landscape.
• Grid references and map scales.

Contour lines are particularly useful because they help you identify hills, valleys, ridges and steep slopes.

The closer the contour lines are together, the steeper the ground generally becomes.

Step 2: Orientate Your Map

Orientating a map means turning it so that the features shown on the map align with their actual directions in the landscape.

This makes it easier to compare the map with what you can see around you.

How to Orientate a Map Using a Compass

1. Place the map on a reasonably flat surface.
2. Position your compass on the map.
3. Rotate the compass housing so its orientating lines align with the map's north-south grid lines, with the orientating arrow pointing towards grid north.
4. Apply the appropriate current grid-to-magnetic correction using the method specified for your compass.
5. Keeping the compass and map together, rotate them until the north-seeking end of the magnetic needle aligns with the adjusted orientating arrow.
6. Compare visible landmarks with their positions on the map.

The map should now be approximately aligned with the surrounding landscape.

Important: If you haven't accounted for the difference between grid north and magnetic north, the map may not be precisely orientated.

Step 3: Take a Bearing from a Map

A bearing is a direction expressed as an angle measured clockwise from north.

For example:

• North is 0° or 360°.
• East is 90°.
• South is 180°.
• West is 270°.

To determine the direction between two points on a map:

1. Identify your current location and intended destination.
2. Place the edge of the compass baseplate between the two points.
3. Make sure the direction-of-travel arrow points towards your destination.
4. Rotate the compass housing until its orientating lines are parallel to the map's north-south grid lines.
5. Ensure the orientating arrow points towards grid north, not south.
6. Read the grid bearing from the compass housing.
7. Convert the grid bearing to a magnetic bearing using the current local grid-to-magnetic correction.

You now have a magnetic bearing that can be followed on the ground.

Step 4: Follow a Compass Bearing

Once you have established the correct magnetic bearing, you can use it to travel in the intended direction.

1. Set the magnetic bearing on your compass housing.
2. Hold the compass level in front of you, away from magnetic interference.
3. Turn your whole body until the north-seeking end of the needle aligns with the orientating arrow.
4. Look along the direction-of-travel arrow.
5. Identify a distinctive landmark in that direction.
6. Walk towards the landmark, checking your progress regularly.
7. Repeat the process as necessary.

Choosing an intermediate landmark is usually more reliable than constantly looking down at your compass while walking.

Remember that a compass gives you a direction, not confirmation of your location.

Step 5: Take a Bearing from a Landmark

You can also use your compass to determine the magnetic bearing of a visible landmark.

1. Stand somewhere safe with a clear view of the landmark.
2. Point the compass direction-of-travel arrow directly towards it.
3. Keep the compass level.
4. Rotate the housing until the north-seeking needle aligns with the orientating arrow.
5. Read the magnetic bearing.

If you want to transfer this bearing to your map, convert it to a grid bearing using the current local correction.

You can then use the compass and map to help identify the landmark or estimate your position.

Understanding Magnetic Variation in the UK

Magnetic north changes position over time, so the difference between magnetic and grid north is not fixed.

Ordnance Survey maps provide information to help users understand this difference, but older printed information may need updating.

Always check current magnetic variation guidance for your location and map.

Be particularly careful when using remembered rules such as automatically adding or subtracting a fixed number of degrees. The correct adjustment depends on the direction of conversion and the current local variation.

How to Measure Distance on a Map

Map scale tells you how distances on paper relate to distances on the ground.

1:25,000 Maps

On a 1:25,000 map, 1 centimetre represents 250 metres on the ground.

These maps are useful for detailed walking routes because they show many smaller paths and landscape features.

1:50,000 Maps

On a 1:50,000 map, 1 centimetre represents 500 metres on the ground.

These maps cover a larger area but generally show less detail.

Many baseplate compasses include measuring scales for these common map ratios.

Remember that map measurements represent horizontal distance. Actual walking distance and effort can be greater because of slopes, winding paths and uneven terrain.

Using Contour Lines for Navigation

Contour lines connect points of equal elevation and help you visualise the shape of the landscape.

They are particularly useful when navigating in hills and mountains.

Look for:

• Closely spaced contours: Steep ground.
• Widely spaced contours: Gentler slopes.
• Closed contour shapes: Potential summits, depressions or other features, depending on the map markings.
• Contour patterns around valleys and ridges: Useful for matching the map to the terrain.

Combining contour information with compass bearings and visible landmarks can make navigation more reliable.

Using Handrails and Catching Features

Not every walking route requires you to follow a precise compass bearing continuously.

Natural and man-made features can help you navigate more confidently.

Handrails

A handrail is a linear feature that you can follow, such as a path, stream, wall or woodland boundary.

Handrails can simplify navigation by providing an identifiable feature along your route.

Catching Features

A catching feature is a recognisable landmark beyond your intended destination that helps indicate if you've travelled too far.

Examples include a road, river crossing or prominent track junction.

Identifying these features before setting off can help prevent navigation errors.

What to Do If You Become Lost

If you are unsure of your location, avoid continuing blindly in the hope of finding your route.

1. Stop: Find a safe place to pause.
2. Think: Review your last confirmed location and recent movements.
3. Observe: Look for identifiable terrain features, paths and landmarks.
4. Plan: Use your map, compass and any available GPS information to establish a safe course of action.

If you cannot confidently establish a safe route, consider remaining in a suitable sheltered location and seeking assistance rather than moving into more dangerous terrain.

In a UK mountain emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.

Common Map and Compass Mistakes

Confusing North and South on the Compass Needle

Always identify the north-seeking end of the needle before aligning it with the orientating arrow.

Forgetting Magnetic Variation

When transferring bearings between a map and the ground, apply the appropriate current correction.

Holding the Compass Near Metal

Phones, magnets, vehicles and other equipment can interfere with the needle.

Failing to Check Your Position

Regularly compare the landscape with the map rather than relying solely on a bearing.

Following a Bearing Without Considering Terrain

A straight compass bearing may lead towards cliffs, water, unsafe slopes or other hazards.

Always choose a route that is safe and appropriate for the conditions.

How to Practise Map and Compass Navigation

Navigation is a practical skill that improves with experience.

Start somewhere familiar, such as a local park or countryside footpath network.

Try these exercises:

• Orientate your map and identify nearby landmarks.
• Take a bearing between two points on the map.
• Follow a short bearing towards a visible landmark.
• Estimate distances using the map scale.
• Identify hills and valleys from contour lines.
• Plan a short route using paths and other handrails.

As your confidence grows, practise in more varied terrain while keeping safety and weather conditions in mind.

For more advanced navigation, consider an organised outdoor navigation course.

Should You Still Carry a Map and Compass When Using GPS?

Yes. GPS devices and smartphone mapping applications are extremely useful, but they shouldn't be your only means of navigation in remote areas.

Electronic equipment can run out of power, become damaged or provide inaccurate positioning under some conditions.

A paper map and magnetic compass provide an independent backup, provided you know how to use them.

Using both traditional and electronic navigation methods can improve your awareness of the surrounding terrain.

Final Advice on Using a Map and Compass

Learning to use a map and compass takes practice, but the basic principles are straightforward.

Start by understanding your map, learn to orientate it correctly, practise taking and following bearings, and regularly compare your surroundings with the landscape shown on the map.

Above all, remember that good navigation involves more than following a compass needle. Route planning, terrain awareness, weather conditions and sound judgement are equally important.

For help selecting suitable equipment, read our How to Choose a Compass buying guide.

You can also explore our Outdoor Navigation Equipment department for compasses, map cases and other navigation essentials.