Bearings

A bearing is a way of describing a direction using an angle. Instead of saying "go north-east", a bearing gives an exact number of degrees, so there is never any doubt about which way to travel.

The three rules — every single time

Every bearing follows the same three rules. If you get these automatic, bearings become easy marks.

1. Measured from North. You always start pointing straight up (North) and turn from there.
2. Measured clockwise. Always turn the way a clock's hands move — never anti-clockwise.
3. Always written with three digits. A bearing must have three digits, so 45 degrees is written 045°, and 9 degrees is written 009°.

If your answer has only one or two digits, add zeros at the front until it has three. This is the single most common way children lose the mark.

The eight compass points as bearings

Start at North and turn clockwise. Each point is 45° further round than the last:

North can also be written as 360° when you have turned all the way round. It is worth learning this table by heart — many questions are answered instantly once you know it.

Turning questions

Some questions ask which way you face after a turn. The method is simple: start with the bearing you are facing, then add the turn.

You are facing East (090°). You turn 90° clockwise. Which way are you facing now?

Add them: 090 + 90 = 180° = South.

If the total goes over 360, just subtract 360 to bring it back onto the compass:

Facing North-West (315°), turn 90° clockwise: 315 + 90 = 405. Then 405 − 360 = 045° = North-East.

Back bearings

This is the part that catches everyone out. A back bearing is the opposite direction — if you know the bearing there, a back bearing is the bearing coming back.

The rule:

• If the bearing is under 180°, add 180.
• If the bearing is 180° or more, subtract 180.

The bearing of B from A is 070°. Because 070 is under 180, add 180: 070 + 180 = 250°. That is the bearing of A from B.

The bearing of B from A is 240°. Because 240 is 180 or more, subtract 180: 240 − 180 = 060°.

The answer is always 180° apart, because you are looking back the exact opposite way.

Common 11+ traps

⚠️ Forgetting the third digit. 45° must be written 045°. A missing zero loses the mark even when the number is right.

⚠️ The "from" word. "The bearing of A from B" means stand at B and look towards A. The place after the word "from" is where you stand. Underline the "from" word every time — children read it backwards more than any other mistake.

⚠️ Turning anti-clockwise or from the wrong point. Bearings always turn clockwise, always starting from North. Never measure from East or South.

⚠️ Going over 360 and leaving it. After a turn, if your number is bigger than 360, you must subtract 360 to land back on the compass.

Worked examples

Read through each example. Cover the steps and try it yourself first if you can.

1. 1

   Compass point to a bearing

   Write the bearing of South-West.

   Steps

   1. Start at North (000°) and turn clockwise, 45° for each point.
   2. N=000, NE=045, E=090, SE=135, S=180, SW=225.
   3. South-West lands on 225. Check it has three digits — it does.

   Answer

   225°

2. 2

   A turning question

   You are facing East. You turn 135° clockwise. Which direction are you now facing?

   Steps

   1. East as a bearing is 090°.
   2. Add the turn: 090 + 135 = 225°.
   3. 225° on the compass is South-West.

   Answer

   South-West (225°)

3. 3

   A back bearing (watch the 'from' word)

   The bearing of a tower from a gate is 040°. What is the bearing of the gate from the tower?

   Steps

   1. You are given the bearing of the tower from the gate = 040°.
   2. You want the back bearing (the gate from the tower).
   3. 040 is under 180, so add 180: 040 + 180 = 220°.

   Answer

   220°