| True north | Geographic pole; maps use this |
| Magnetic north | Where the compass points |
| Difference | Declination (varies by place) |
| Magnetic pole | Moves over time |
True north is the direction to the geographic North Pole, the reference maps are drawn to; magnetic north is the direction a compass needle points, toward Earth’s magnetic pole, which lies elsewhere and moves over time. The angle between them is declination — accounting for it is essential to navigate accurately with map and compass.
Bridging the two
The gap is declination; correct for it on your compass before following a bearing from a map.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between true north and magnetic north?
True north is the direction to the geographic North Pole, the fixed point maps are oriented to. Magnetic north is the direction your compass needle points, toward Earth's magnetic north pole, which is in a different place and drifts over time. The angle between them at your location is the declination.
Which north does my compass point to?
A magnetic compass points to magnetic north, not true (map) north. That's why you must account for declination — the local angle between the two — when converting between compass bearings and a map, or your navigation will be off.
Does magnetic north move?
Yes. Earth's magnetic north pole wanders measurably from year to year, so declination values change over time. That's why maps note the declination and the year it was measured, and why you should use a current declination value (e.g., from NOAA) for precise navigation.
Sources
- Geomagnetism — NOAA
- Navigation — The Mountaineers