Compass Guide
What 0, 90, 180, and 270 Degrees Mean on a Compass
A compass shows direction not only with letters but also with numbers from 0 to 359. Once you know the main degree marks, direction is easier to read precisely.
1. 0 and 360 degrees mean north
0 degrees is the north reference. After a full circle, 360 degrees points to the same north direction.
2. 90 degrees is east and 180 is south
Compass degrees increase clockwise from north. A quarter turn is east at 90 degrees, and a half turn is south at 180 degrees.
3. 270 degrees is west
270 degrees means west. Remembering 0 north, 90 east, 180 south, and 270 west is enough for most quick direction checks.
4. Intermediate degrees show intermediate directions
45 degrees is near northeast, 135 southeast, 225 southwest, and 315 northwest. Use degree values when direction labels are not precise enough.
FAQ
Which direction is 0 degrees on a compass?
0 degrees is north. 360 degrees is the same direction after a full turn.
Do compass degrees increase clockwise?
Yes. They start at north as 0 degrees and increase clockwise to east, south, west, and back to north.