Magnetic Declination Guide
Understand the difference between True North and Magnetic North. Calculate and correct your compass bearing using local magnetic declination.
True North vs Magnetic North
A physical or digital compass does not point to the North Pole (True North). Instead, it aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, pointing towards the Magnetic North Pole, which is currently wandering somewhere in northern Canada/Arctic Ocean.
What is Declination?
The angle between True North (geographical) and Magnetic North (where your compass points) is called Magnetic Declination.
- Positive (+) Declination: Magnetic North is East of True North.
- Negative (-) Declination: Magnetic North is West of True North.
To navigate accurately over long distances using a map (which is oriented to True North), you must adjust your compass bearing by adding or subtracting the local declination.
Bearing Correction Tool
Convert a Map Bearing (True) to a Compass Bearing (Magnetic), or vice versa. If you are planning a route between two coordinates, use our Bearing Calculator first to find your initial True bearing.
Note: Ensure your device is properly calibrated before navigating.
(Map)
(Compass)
Type a value in either box to calculate the other.