Grid References

Grid references help us locate places on a map.




Grid References

Look at the Ordnance Survey map below. Notice the blue squares that overlay the map.

os map

Eastings are the lines that run from the top of the map to the bottom. They show you how far east you must go.

eastings

Northing are the lines that run from the left to the right of the map. They show you how far north you must go.

northings

When giving a grid reference the eastings are given first, followed by the northings. The four figure grid reference for the square below is 9061.

4 figure grid reference

Six figure grid references allow you to identify an exact location within a grid square. Let’s zoom into 9061 to find out how these work.

9061

In order to identify a six figure grid reference we need to imagine another grid on top of the existing square.

6 figure grid reference

These are then numbered as below.

6 figure

The six figure grid reference for the coniferous forest shown below is 908619. Again, the eastings come before the northings.

6 figure grid references













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