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Grid References Made Easy

Can you quote grid references? In an emergency could you identify your exact position from your map and quote it to the emergency services?

And could you find a location on the map if you were given the specific reference?

for the UK follow the steps below:

  1. Holding the map in the normal upright position note the number of the vertical grid line to the left of your estimated position! e.g. - 16

  2. Imagine the space between the grid lines is divided into ten equal divisions. Estimate the number of tenths that lie between your position and the left hand grid line (in step 1), say 6 tenths. Add this to the number above to give a 3 figure reference of 166.

  3. Note the number of the horizontal grid line immediately below your position. e.g. 71.

  4. Estimate the number of tenths that lie between line 22 and your position. e.g. 2, add this to the grid line number in 3 above to give a 3 figure reference of 712.

  5. The important 6 figure reference is therefore 166712.

  6. To help validate the full reference look at the information section of the map and prefix your 6 figure reference with the 100,000 metre Grid Square Identification letters, e.g. NN166712.

Grid referencing becomes even more important if you buy a GPS!



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