Compass Cheat Sheet Printable for Scouts

Learning to use a compass is an essential navigation skill for Scouts and a useful skill for anyone who enjoys hiking, camping and exploring the outdoors.

We’ve created this free printable compass cheat sheet as a quick reference for Scouts, parents and Scout leaders. It brings the key compass information together on one easy-to-print page.

What’s on the cheat sheet?

The printable includes:

• The four cardinal directions: North, East, South and West
• The intermediate directions: NE, SE, SW and NW
• Compass bearings and their corresponding degrees
• A labelled compass rose
• A simple introduction to using a compass
• A quick memory aid for remembering the order of the cardinal directions

Download the free printable

Print it at home or at your Scout group and keep it with your navigation notes, activity folder or camping kit.

For the best result, print the cheat sheet at 100% scale on A4 paper.

A useful Scout navigation reference

This cheat sheet is designed as a quick reminder rather than a replacement for practical compass training. Scouts should practise taking bearings and navigating outdoors with a properly calibrated compass and under appropriate supervision.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, try combining your compass skills with a map to practise taking bearings, following routes and finding your way around an unfamiliar area.

Happy navigating and enjoy the outdoors!