North References Used in Land Navigation: Part 1

The three common north references — True, Magnetic, and Grid — and when each is used.

North References is one of the more challenging topics in land navigation. This part introduces the three north references you will work with — True North, Magnetic North, and Grid North — and explains why each one matters.

For a deeper written walkthrough of how these references relate, see the online North Reference tutorial, or design your own printable declination reference sheet.

Continue with Part 2 for converting between the north references, and Part 3 for worked practice problems.