1. A four figure grid reference points you towards a particular square on a map. On all OS maps these squares represent one square kilometre. All maps will have lines numbered around the edge. These will not always start at zero but will increase both upwards and across the map. (See the example below). A four figure grid reference will point you to the bottom left hand corner of that particular grid square. Follow the red NEXT buttons to see how these work then try the examples given.

2. Let’s find grid square 21 31
To read a 4 figure grid reference go along to the line number of the first 2 numbers and then go up to the line with the second 2 numbers.

3. You are now at the bottom left hand corner of grid square 21 31

4. What grid square is the letter T in?
See how the grid line numbers are now shown on the map
Click here to see if you’re right

5. T is in grid square 04 82 Along to line 04 Up to line 82
Now we are at the bottom left of square 04 82

6. Now try your hand at these…..
1. What square is the Caravan Park on the map on the following page?
Click here for map

7. Decide what you think the grid square is then click on the red button to check your answer

8. Caravan Park is in grid square 25 72.

9. 2. What square is the Windmill on the map on the following page?
Click here for map

10. Which grid square is the windmill in
Which grid square is the windmill in? Click on the red button to check your answer

11. The Windmill is in grid square 29 70.

12. 3. What square is the station on the map on the following page?
Click here for map

13. Which grid square contains the station
Which grid square contains the station? Click on the red button to check your answer

14. The station is in grid square 30 75.

15. 4. What square is the church in on the map on the following page?
Click here for map

16. Decide what you think the grid square is then click on the red button to check your answer

17. The church is in grid square 29 76.

18. 5. What square is the telephone box in on the map on the following page?
Click here for map

19. The telephone is in which grid square
The telephone is in which grid square? Click on the red button to check your answer

20. The telephone box is in grid square 31 74.

21. 6. What square is the campsite in on the map on the following page?
Click here for map

22. Decide what you think the grid square is then click on the red button to check your answer

23. The campsite is in grid square 23 73.

24. Introduction to OS maps
What is an OS map?
How do I use an OS map?
How is an OS map different to an Atlas?

25. Comparing an OS map with an Atlas
Copy and complete the table below to show the similarities and differences between an atlas and an OS map. Remember to use the language of comparison e.g. however, whereas, on the other hand
Similarities between an OS map and an Atlas
Differences between and OS map and an Atlas
e.g. An atlas is a book of maps whereas an OS map is usually one single map

26. Four Figure Grid References
In which grid square is the symbol?
Activity 1-4 Four Figure grid references - Hull

27. Symbols on OS maps

28. Scale
You can measure the size of a place from a map by using the map scale. The scale is written as a figure called a representative fraction (RF). For example, a RF of 1: shows that one unit on the map represents of the same units on the ground.
5 cm on a ruler on a 1: scale map would be:
5cm x (map scale) = cm = metres = 2.5 km

29. Six Figure Grid References
027107
027_ _ _
Along the edge of a piece of scrap paper draw a line the length of the grid square - then divide it by ten - number as below

30. 6 Figure Grid References

31. It is useful to understand how to use 4 figure grid references before continuing on to look at 6 figure grid references.
If wish to look at the 4 figure grid reference section please click here.
Otherwise click here to continue.

32. A four figure reference will point you to a square on the map.
Six figure grid references are used to pin point a location within a square.
It is important to be able to both find details given by a 6 figure grid reference as well as being able to work out the 6 figure grid reference for any point on the map.

33. How to work out 6 figure grid references…
Let us first look at how the 6 figure grid reference is made up.
Let us take as an example.
The first 3 figures refer to the easting of the point (or the distance along the map)
While the second 3 figures refer to the northing of the point (or the distance up the map).

34. Looking at our number
Start by working out the basic Easting and Northing as you would for a 4 figure
grid reference using only the first 2 easting values and the first 2 northing values.
Then imagine that grid square divided into tenths.
216 is the Easting.
21 is the grid line and 6 is the number of tenths along towards the next grid line.
322 is the Northing.
32 is the grid line and 2 is the number of tenths along towards the next grid line.

35. Let us find the 6 figure grid reference for the church on the map below
The church is in grid square
If we imagine that square divided into 10 parts, the church is 2 tenths further east and 2 tenths further north.
So the 6 figure grid reference will be

36. Now try a few on your own…
What is the 6 figure grid reference for the church? A B C
Click on the answer of your choice.

37. Sorry you are wrong go back and try again

38. Well done that is correct
Click here for next question

39. Now try a few on your own…
What is the 6 figure grid reference for Lodge Farm? A B C
Click on the answer of your choice.

40. Sorry you are wrong go back and try again

41. Well done that is correct
Click here for next question

42. Now try a few on your own…
What is the 6 figure grid reference for the school? A B C
Click on the answer of your choice.

43. Sorry you are wrong go back and try again

44. Well done that is correct
Click here for next question

45. Now try a few on your own…
What is the 6 figure grid reference for the well? A B C
Click on the answer of your choice.

46. Sorry you are wrong go back and try again

47. Well done that is correct
Click here for next question

48. Now try a few on your own…
What is at 6 figure grid reference ?
A The Post Office
B Mickelham Hall
C Cowslip Farm
Click on the answer of your choice.

49. Sorry you are wrong go back and try again

50. Well done that is correct.
If you now feel more confident about 6 figure grid references click here to return to the main menu.
If you want to return to the beginning of this section on 6 figure grid references click here.

51. Recap of last lesson… A B E C D 69 68 67 66 10 11 12 13
The 4-figure GR of…
A= 1267
B= 1068
C= 1166
D= 1268
E= 1066

52. Remember the theory-
Along the corridor
then…
Up the stairs

53. 6-Figure Grid References- The theory68
X is in-
1267 X 67 12 13

54. 6-Figure Grid References- The theory68
X is still in-
1267
But we can be more exact X 67 12 13

55. 6-Figure Grid References- The theory68
Imagine that we can divide each square into a smaller grid 10 by 10 X 67 12 13
What do you think the 6-figure grid reference of X is?

56. 6-Figure Grid References- The theory68 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
X is in
127674 X
Why? 67 12 13

57. 6-Figure Grid References- The theory
With 6-figure grid references you have to ‘pretend’ that the grid square is divided into 10 rows going left-to-right, and 10 rows going top-bottom
6-figure grid references help us find the exact location of a place