How to Use a Grid Reference on a Walking Map

A grid reference is a simple way of describing a precise location on a map.

Once you understand the basic system, you can use grid references to find features, mark locations, give directions and communicate where you are if you need help.

For walkers, Scouts and anyone learning map reading, the most important rule to remember is:

Go along the corridor, then up the stairs.

That means you read the eastings first, followed by the northings.

This guide explains how grid references work and how to use both 4-figure and 6-figure grid references on a walking map.

What is a grid reference?

A grid reference is a combination of numbers used to identify a location on a map.

Walking maps are divided into a grid made up of horizontal and vertical lines. The numbers on those lines allow you to describe where something is located.

Instead of saying:

“The bridge is somewhere near the northern end of the field.”

you can use a grid reference to identify its position much more accurately.

Grid references are particularly useful when:

• Planning a walking route
• Finding a feature on a map
• Giving someone a location
• Checking your position
• Planning Scout activities
• Practising navigation
• Communicating an emergency location

What are eastings and northings?

The vertical grid lines are called eastings.

The horizontal grid lines are called northings.

Eastings are read first because you move across the map from west to east.

Northings come second because you then move upwards from south to north.

An easy way to remember this is:

Along the corridor, then up the stairs.

Go across first, then go up.

How to read a 4-figure grid reference

A 4-figure grid reference identifies a 1 kilometre square on a standard walking map.

It does not pinpoint an exact object within that square. Instead, it tells you which square to look in.

A 4-figure reference contains:

• Two digits for the easting
• Two digits for the northing

For example:

2453

The first two digits, 24, are the easting.

The last two digits, 53, are the northing.

Step 1: Find the easting

Look along the bottom or side of the map for the numbered vertical lines.

Find the easting number you need.

Remember that you are looking for the left-hand boundary of the square.

Step 2: Find the northing

Now look for the numbered horizontal lines.

Find the northing number.

Again, you are identifying the bottom boundary of the square.

Step 3: Put the numbers together

Write the easting first and the northing second.

For example:

24 53

becomes:

2453

You have now identified the 1 kilometre square containing the location.

How to read a 6-figure grid reference

A 6-figure grid reference gives you a much more precise location.

Instead of identifying the whole 1 kilometre square, you divide that square into ten sections across and ten sections upwards.

This creates a much smaller area.

A 6-figure reference contains:

• Three digits for the easting
• Three digits for the northing

For example:

243531

The first three digits identify how far across the square you need to go.

The final three digits identify how far up the square you need to go.

Start with the 4-figure reference

First find the 1 kilometre square.

For:

243531

start with:

24 53

That gives you the square.

You then use the extra digits to locate the position within it.

Divide the square into tenths

Imagine the 1 kilometre square divided into ten equal sections from left to right.

Do the same from bottom to top.

The third digit in each part tells you which tenth to use.

So the reference:

243531

can be thought of as:

24 + 3

and

53 + 1

You move three tenths across the square, then one tenth upwards.

Why use a 6-figure grid reference?

A 4-figure reference can tell you which square contains a feature.

A 6-figure reference allows you to get much closer to the actual location.

This makes 6-figure references useful for:

• Meeting points
• Buildings
• Bridges
• Campsites
• Map-reading exercises
• Navigation checkpoints
• Emergency locations

How to plot a grid reference on a map

Reading a grid reference and plotting one are essentially two sides of the same skill.

If someone gives you a grid reference, you can use it to find a location on your map.

Start with the easting.

Find the correct vertical grid line.

Then find the northing.

Find the correct horizontal grid line.

For a 4-figure reference, the intersection identifies the square.

For a 6-figure reference, use the additional digits to estimate the position inside that square.

Remember: eastings come first

One of the most common mistakes is reversing the numbers.

If you have:

2453

do not start by looking for 53.

Always start with:

24

and then:

53

Think:

Across, then up.

Common grid reference mistakes

Learning grid references is easier when you know the mistakes to avoid.

Reading northings first

This is probably the most common beginner mistake.

Remember:

Eastings first. Northings second.

Using the wrong grid square

Make sure you identify the correct numbered lines before looking for the feature.

It is easy to move one square too far if you are working quickly.

Giving only part of the reference

A 4-figure reference needs four digits.

A 6-figure reference needs six digits.

Do not leave out numbers because they seem obvious.

Reading from the wrong map edge

Always check the numbers on the actual grid lines rather than guessing from nearby labels.

Confusing the map scale

The size and spacing of grid squares can depend on the map you are using.

Before practising, check the map scale and understand what the grid represents.

A simple grid reference practice exercise

You can practise this skill without going anywhere.

Take a walking map and choose five obvious features.

For example:

• A road junction
• A bridge
• A building
• A footpath junction
• A hilltop

Give each feature a 4-figure grid reference.

Then try giving each one a 6-figure reference.

Afterwards, swap the exercise around.

Write down five grid references and ask someone else to find them.

Make it a navigation challenge

For a group activity, give participants a series of grid references.

They have to:

1. Find the correct square.
2. Identify the feature inside it.
3. Describe what they have found.
4. Move to the next reference.

This works particularly well for Scouts, Explorers and navigation practice.

When are grid references useful on a walk?

Grid references become particularly useful when you need to communicate a location clearly.

For example, a walking group could use them to identify:

• Where the route starts
• A planned lunch stop
• A campsite
• A road crossing
• A checkpoint
• A meeting point
• A difficult section of route
• An alternative route
• A location where help may be required

They also make route planning easier because everyone can refer to the same point on the map.

How to remember grid references

If you are learning grid references for the first time, keep it simple.

Remember these three rules:

1. Eastings first.

2. Northings second.

3. Across first, then up.

The phrase “along the corridor, then up the stairs” is a useful memory aid.

Practise the process repeatedly and it quickly becomes automatic.

Grid references are a practical walking skill

You do not need to be an expert navigator to benefit from understanding grid references.

Being able to identify a square on a map, pinpoint a feature and communicate a location gives you another useful navigation skill to combine with contour lines, map symbols, route planning and compass work.

The key is practice.

Start with 4-figure references, then progress to 6-figure references once the basic process feels comfortable.

Quick grid reference checklist

Before giving or using a grid reference, check:

• Have I read the eastings first?
• Have I then read the northings?
• Am I using the correct grid square?
• Is this a 4-figure or 6-figure reference?
• Have I written every digit?
• Have I checked the location against the map features?

Get those steps right and grid references become much less complicated.