Map Skills Chapter 4 – Grid References

Grid Squares If you look at a map you will notice that it is covered in squares. These squares make up a grid that covers the whole area of the map. The lines are grid lines and allow you accurately to locate points on the map. This system also allows you to route plan using grid references (GR). For ease, the numbers are printed around the grid and inside at every 10th grid line in both directions across the map. These grid lines belong to a much bigger system that covers the UK and is known as the National Grid (no connection with the electricity supply!).

The Grid System Every grid system must have a starting point so that the grid can be built up from it. To cover the UK there is a need for seven 100 kilometre lines of easting’s (vertical lines) and thirteen 100 kilometre lines of northing’s (horizontal lines) from the starting point.

Navigating from Grid Squares It is fairly easy to locate an object within a 1km square as long as you know what square it is in. This can be done using Easting and Northing to indicate the south west (SW) corner of the square you wish to identify. By using the SW corner of the square, the grid reference is standardised so everyone knows what it means.

6-figure grid references To give a 6-figure reference you mentally divide the grid into ten parts and estimate how far into the square the object is (say 4). Once this is done add the figure to the first (giving 334)- now you have your easting. Repeat the process for the northing (eg. 255) and you will end up with a 6-figure reference number (334255). Judging tenths across the square (both up and down) may be difficult to begin with but with practice it soon becomes an easy system to use

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