Compass & 3-Digit Bearings Made EASY! (Step-by-Step Guide), by Scholars Niche on YouTube. 7 min 39 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 39 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Place the compass flat on your palm or on the map. Hold it level and steady so the magnetic needle can swing freely. Keep phones and metal objects away from it.
Turn the compass until the red end of the needle points to the N mark on the bezel. This lines the compass up with magnetic north.
Aim the direction-of-travel arrow at the landmark or along the line you want to follow. Keep the compass flat while you turn your whole body.
Read the number on the bezel where the direction-of-travel arrow sits. That number is your bearing in degrees.
Write the bearing as three digits. Add a zero in front of numbers under 100, so 45 degrees becomes 045 and 8 degrees becomes 008.
Check that your answer is between 000 and 360. A bearing of 360 is the same as 000, and bearings are always measured clockwise from north.
To follow the bearing, turn your body until the red needle sits over the N mark again. Then walk along the direction-of-travel arrow.
Tips and common mistakes
Always measure clockwise from north, never anticlockwise, or your bearing will be wrong.
Keep the compass away from magnets, phones and car dashboards, which can pull the needle off north.
Write the three digits every time, even for small angles, because that is the standard way bearings are recorded.
Recheck the needle before you set off, since it can drift as you move.
Questions
Why do bearings have three digits?
Bearings are angles from 000 to 360 measured clockwise from north. Three digits keep the format consistent, so 45 degrees is written as 045.
What is the difference between a compass direction and a bearing?
A compass direction is a rough label like north or south-east. A bearing is the exact angle in degrees from north, such as 135.
Do I need a special compass?
No. A basic baseplate compass with a rotating bezel and a marked needle is enough for measuring and following bearings.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
