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Compass Directions
A compass is a device for determining directions. A free floating magnetized needle points toward the magnetic North Pole. As the compass shows the direction north we can determine other directions and use this to move from one place to another.
For navigating a ship, the compass is divided into 32 directions or compass points. Reciting the list of directions is known as "boxing the compass". It was considered to be a basic skill of an apprentice sailor. The 32 compass points are sufficient for moving a vessel from one point to another.
For determining directions and locations on maps a more precise measurement is used. The face of the compass is measured in degrees with 360° forming the full circle. North is 0°, east is 90°, and south is 180° and so on.
32 Points of the Compass
| Direction |
Degrees |
|
Direction |
Degrees |
| north |
0.00° |
|
south |
180.00° |
| north by east |
11.25° |
|
south by west |
191.25° |
|
north northeast |
22.50° |
|
south southwest |
202.50° |
| northeast by north |
33.75° |
|
southwest by south |
213.75° |
| northeast |
45.00° |
|
southwest |
225.00° |
| northeast by east |
56.25° |
|
southwest by west |
236.25° |
| east northeast |
67.50° |
|
west southwest |
247.50° |
| east by north |
78.75° |
|
west by south |
258.75° |
| east |
90.00° |
|
west |
270.00° |
| east by south |
101.25° |
|
west by north |
281.25° |
| east southeast |
112.50° |
|
west northwest |
292.50° |
| southeast by east |
123.75° |
|
northwest by west |
303.75° |
| southeast |
135.00° |
|
northwest |
315.00° |
| southeast by south |
146.25° |
|
northwest by north |
326.25° |
| south southeast |
157.50° |
|
north northwest |
337.50° |
| south by east |
168.75° |
|
north by west |
348.75° |
Finer points of navigation are provided by dividing each of the 32 compass points into quarters. As example southeast 1/4 east; from the compass point southeast move toward east 1/4 point; that is 135.00° minus 2.8125° resulting in 132.1875°.
Shipboard navigation is based on the magnetic North Pole. Map navigation instead uses the North Pole as north, when this is the case the direction is said to be "true", meaning based on true north.
At sea distances are measured in nautical miles. A nautical mile is 6,076.10 feet or about 15% longer than a land mile (statute mile).
Last Revision: March 4, 2007.
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