Compass Dude

HA! Dude, I've got hundreds more... oh, maybe later, then.

So, you want to learn how to use a compass today, huh? Cool, there's not a whole lot to it and its a good skill to have if you're ever going to step out of your house. Even if you're never going to leave the city, being aware of general compass directions and having a feel for where you are and which direction you're heading is important.

You can use the pages of this compass usage site as a compass tutorial, by starting on this page and reading each page linked at the bottom in turn. Or, jump directly to the compass topic that interests you.

Your Friend, the Compass

Wherever you happen to be on Earth, a compass in your hand will always point North. Whether you are stranded in the ocean, caught in a blizzard, or lost in a deep, dark forest late at night, your friend the compass will never let you down and can always be used to help find the way. Sure, a GPS is pretty cool, but it needs batteries and a signal, not the magnetic compass!

You're on your way to learning how to use a compass. Click away and enjoy the trip.

Late-breaking Compass News   North and South Poles are moving! Will the Earth's magnetic field flip again? READ MORE about how this will affect you.

Search Google News for more 'Lost Hiker' news items.

19 Nov 2024 - Woman accidentally discovers 280 million

18 Nov 2024 - Hiker rescued on Mt. Tallac after getting lost

18 Nov 2024 -

20 Nov 2024 - Watch

08 Nov 2024 - Family mourns missing hiker found dead in Mt. Hood National Forest

20 Nov 2024 - Lost world with a 280

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Comments:
 Sep 18, 2015 - Compass Dude

You can now leave comments on pages here, to add your thoughts.

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Jul 05, 2016 - Julie Desormeau

I came across your site today. I'm very excited. My wish is to introduce my daughter to the outdoors and instill confidence in her ability to take care of herself - she's 5. So there is plenty of time to learn and practice.

I also want to (someday) be able to sleep peacefully knowing that she has the skills needed to stay safe once she decides to go camping/hiking alone or with friends.

Frankly I'm looking forward to brushing up on my compass skills too. Additionally, the information provided here is informative (not too dense/not too light) well written and friendly.

Well done. And thank you.

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Jul 16, 2016 - Gopinathan Kunhithayil Parakuni

I'm totally useless when it gets to directions! I got lost in the Paris metro only a couple of months ago and had to reach the meeting in an expensive taxi!

I have always love wandering about, but never got my orientation correct. I have run into cold sweat whenever I got lost in a strange city.

I have been buying Atlases and maps and every now and then trying to find a way to fix all the places on the map.

I think Campusdude would solve many of my problems!

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Oct 21, 2016 - Kirk "The Tutor"

Just found this website and want to THANK YOU! This site is great!

Putting together a lesson on reading maps for my clients and your writing is perfect for them, not too technical.

Posted your link on my Facebook page so all of the homeschoolers who follow me can find you.

Please, keep adding content. I love it.

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Dec 15, 2017 - Grandpa Bill

Hi, I'm lucky enough o have grand kids and I just love teaching them about "old school" stuff that is important to everyone even in this modern age of technology. This site has aught Grandpa Bill more about the compass than I ever learned in the service. Can't wait to have my oldest grandson open his first compass this Christmas! I'm using this site for tutorials and fun compass games for him as he grows into being a real orienteer!

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Nov 01, 2018 - Michael Lloyd

Hi, Great site!
I'm trying to determine the coordinate from 2 bearing lines. I know they cross as I can see this in my land survey. I believe that intersection should be a coordinate value. But how would I determine that? Is there a formula to determine coordinates from compass bearings? The 2 bearings are N 14 deg 55' 0" E and N 69 deg 08' 40" E. Any help would be much appreciated. Regards.

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Nov 01, 2018 - Compass Dude

@Michael - A person could stand pretty much any place and take a bearing with their compass along those two directions.  So, having two directions can not identify a point.  You would need to know the latitude/longitude of where the person stood when taking each of the bearings in order to know the latitude/longitude of where they intersect.

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Nov 03, 2018 - Michael Lloyd

Thanks for pointing this out. I can see from a closer look at my survey that this is very much the case. The survey legend indicates "Bearing are astronomic derived from the westerly limit of highway 41having bearing of N 31 deg 13' W". No latitude/longitude anywhere on the survey.

Thanks you so much for you help. Very much appreciated.

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Sep 13, 2020 - Albert Stankavage

Hi,
For now I only have a compass on my Garmin watch. So, how would the read in the shed rule work? Like for example, if I am moving on trail and look down on my compass and it reads 125 NE, does that mean my bearing is NE?  That excerpt I read above about "red in the she" confused me.

Thanks,
Albert

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Jun 26, 2023 - Jason C.

I love your website and so much appreciate you putting it on the web for the public. I was introduced to it about 15 years ago by a family member. Taught myself how to via your easy to understand instructions and then bought myself a better compass. Thank you sir. Now just rereading it to brush up .

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Nov 08, 2023 - Ivan Cesar

Thank you for this website! The internet has become a strange place, it was really nice to find an actual source of great info run by an actual person that just wants to share knowledge.
Rock on!!

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Mar 06, 2024 - Barometr Dude

I, being a Barometr dude, think that compases are overrated. Lets go for barometr team

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