{"id":43167,"date":"2026-02-18T09:54:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T08:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kart.no\/how-to-use-a-compass-and-map\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T02:20:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T00:20:19","slug":"how-to-use-a-compass-and-map","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kart.no\/en\/hiking-maps-and-outdoor-life\/how-to-use-a-compass-and-map\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use a Compass and Map"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n A guide to safer navigation<\/span>\n

How to use a map and compass<\/h1>\n

\n Learn how to orient your map, set a compass bearing and follow the correct\n direction through the terrain. This guide explains the basic method step by step.\n <\/p>\n Updated September 2026<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n \n
The compass needle points towards magnetic north.<\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/header>\n\n
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\n The short version<\/span>\n

From map to direction of travel<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n
  1. 1<\/span>Find your start and destination<\/strong>Mark where you are and where you want to go.<\/small><\/li>\n
  2. 2<\/span>Place the compass on the map<\/strong>Point the direction-of-travel arrow from start to destination.<\/small><\/li>\n
  3. 3<\/span>Set the compass housing<\/strong>Align its lines with the map\u2019s north\u2013south grid lines.<\/small><\/li>\n
  4. 4<\/span>Find your direction<\/strong>Turn until the red needle sits over the orienting arrow.<\/small><\/li>\n <\/ol>\n <\/section>\n\n
    \n

    Before you begin<\/h2>\n

    \n A baseplate compass has a transparent baseplate, a direction-of-travel arrow,\n a rotating compass housing and a magnetic needle. The red end of the needle\n points towards magnetic north when the compass is held level and allowed to settle.\n <\/p>\n

    \n It is often helpful to orient the map first. Place the compass along a north\u2013south\n grid line, then rotate the map and compass together until the red end of the needle\n points towards north on the map. The map will then correspond more closely with the\n landscape around you.\n <\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n

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    \n
    \n \n
    Place the edge of the compass between your starting point and destination. Illustration: Kartverket.<\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n
    \n Step 1<\/span>\n

    Place the compass from start to destination<\/h2>\n

    \n Find your current position and the place you want to reach. Place the long edge\n of the compass between the two points. The direction-of-travel arrow must point\n in the direction you intend to walk \u2013 from your starting point to your destination.\n <\/p>\n

    Remember:<\/strong> At this stage, ignore the direction in which the magnetic needle is pointing.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n

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    \n \n
    Rotate the compass housing until its lines follow the map\u2019s north\u2013south grid lines. Illustration: Kartverket.<\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n
    \n Step 2<\/span>\n

    Rotate the compass housing towards map north<\/h2>\n

    \n Keep the baseplate still. Rotate the compass housing until the orienting lines\n inside it are parallel with the map\u2019s north\u2013south grid lines. The N mark and\n orienting arrow must point towards north on the map \u2013 usually towards the top\n of the map sheet.\n <\/p>\n

    Common mistake:<\/strong> Make sure the orienting arrow is not pointing south on the map.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n

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    \n \n
    Turn until the red needle is aligned with the orienting arrow. Illustration: Kartverket.<\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n
    \n Step 3<\/span>\n

    Turn your body and find the direction of travel<\/h2>\n

    \n Lift the compass from the map and hold it level in front of you. Turn your whole\n body \u2013 not the compass housing \u2013 until the red end of the magnetic needle sits\n over the orienting arrow. The direction-of-travel arrow now shows the way to go.\n <\/p>\n

    An easy reminder:<\/strong> \u201cRed in the shed\u201d \u2013 place the red end of the needle inside the red orienting arrow.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n\n

    \n
    \n Step 4 \u00b7 In the terrain<\/span>\n

    How to follow your compass bearing<\/h2>\n

    \n Look along the direction-of-travel arrow and choose a distinct feature in the\n terrain \u2013 such as a tree, a rock or another landmark in the correct direction.\n Walk to that point, check the compass and select another point further along the bearing.\n <\/p>\n

    \n Break longer sections into shorter legs between reliable map features such as\n paths, lakes, stream crossings, hills or buildings. Continue checking the map\n so that you maintain a good understanding of your approximate position.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n