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How to Take Bearings on a Compass

A bearing is a measurement of direction taken with a compass. The bearing tells you exactly which direction to go in order to get from point A to point B. A compass has a graduated circle of degrees which help you determine the bearing. Taking a bearing with a compass requires a map that shows both points and allows you to draw a line between the two points.

Things You'll Need

Map
Pencil
Straight edge

Instructions

- 1
  Find the point on a map where you are. Locate the point to which you want to go on the map. Mark both spots with a pencil. Use a straight edge to draw a line from the first point to the second.
- 2
  Place the compass on the map so the middle of the compass is on the line between the two points. Line the compass up parallel to the north-south orientation of the map.
- 3
  Turn the map with the compass on it. Continue turning until the north arrow points to 0 degrees on the compass. The degrees are on the graduated circle of the compass.
- 4
  Read where the line between the two points crosses the graduated circle of the compass. That degree is the bearing.

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