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Compass Bearing to Degrees Calculator

Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team

A compass bearing is a direction expressed in degrees from north, measured clockwise. This calculator converts compass bearings to standard degrees (0-360°) for use in navigation, surveying, and mapping.

What is a compass bearing?

A compass bearing is a way to describe direction using degrees measured from north. It's commonly used in navigation, surveying, and geography. The bearing is always measured clockwise from north, with 0° pointing directly north, 90° pointing east, 180° pointing south, and 270° pointing west.

Compass bearings are different from azimuths, which are measured counterclockwise from north. For example, a bearing of 45° is the same as an azimuth of 315°.

Common compass bearings

  • North: 0° or 360°
  • Northeast: 45°
  • East: 90°
  • Southeast: 135°
  • South: 180°
  • Southwest: 225°
  • West: 270°
  • Northwest: 315°

How to convert compass bearing to degrees

Converting a compass bearing to degrees is straightforward. The process involves:

  1. Identifying the compass direction (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW)
  2. Determining the angle between the compass direction and the nearest cardinal direction
  3. Adding this angle to the cardinal direction's degree value

Formula: Degrees = Cardinal Direction + (Angle Between Directions)

Step-by-step conversion

For example, to convert "N 45° E" to degrees:

  1. Identify the cardinal directions: North (0°) and East (90°)
  2. Calculate the angle between them: 45°
  3. Add the angle to the starting cardinal direction: 0° + 45° = 45°

Formula and calculation

The conversion from compass bearing to degrees follows this simple formula:

Degrees = Cardinal Direction + (Angle Between Directions)

Where:

  • Cardinal Direction is the nearest cardinal direction in degrees (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°)
  • Angle Between Directions is the angle between the compass bearing and the cardinal direction

Example calculation

Convert "S 30° W" to degrees:

  1. Identify the cardinal directions: South (180°) and West (270°)
  2. Calculate the angle between them: 30°
  3. Add the angle to the starting cardinal direction: 180° + 30° = 210°

The result is 210°, which points southwest.

Examples and scenarios

Here are several examples of compass bearings converted to degrees:

Compass Bearing Degrees Description
N 0° E 0° Directly north
N 45° E 45° Northeast
E 0° S 90° Directly east
S 30° W 210° Southwest
W 15° N 285° Northwest

Practical applications

Converting compass bearings to degrees is useful in:

  • Navigation: Plotting courses on maps
  • Surveying: Measuring land boundaries
  • Mapping: Creating accurate geographic representations
  • Engineering: Designing infrastructure with precise directions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between compass bearing and azimuth?
A compass bearing is measured clockwise from north, while an azimuth is measured counterclockwise from north. For example, a bearing of 45° is the same as an azimuth of 315°.
How do I convert degrees to compass bearing?
To convert degrees to compass bearing, divide the degrees by 45 to find the nearest cardinal direction, then calculate the remaining angle. For example, 225° is 5 × 45° (225°), so it's 225° from north, which is SW (southwest).
What are the four main compass directions?
The four main compass directions are north (N), east (E), south (S), and west (W). These are at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° respectively.
How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator provides precise conversions based on standard compass bearing definitions. The accuracy depends on the input values you provide.
Can I use this calculator for aviation navigation?
Yes, this calculator can be used for aviation navigation, but always verify critical navigation information with official aviation charts and systems.