Grid references on OS maps

How to give four figure grid references

A grid reference is a way of giving a position on a map

Grid line numbers are at the top and bottom

31

32

33

34

35

36

So this is Easting 35

Grid lines called Eastings are from top to bottom

31 32 33 34 35

Say it as three five, not as thirty five.

36

Grid lines from side to side are called Northings 27 26

25 24

Grid line numbers are along both sides 27 26

25 24

23
22

So this is Northing 24

Say it as two four, not twenty four

23
22

31 27

32

33

34

35

36 27

26
A 25 24 What is the four figure grid reference for this square?

26
25 24

23
22 31 32

23
22

33

34

35

36

31
Find the line along the left of the square.

32

33

34

35

36

This is Easting 34

31

32

33

34

35

36

Find the line along the bottom of the square.

This is 27 Northing 25 26 A 25 24 25 24 27

26

23
22

23
22

34

The four figure grid reference is 3425

Easting 34

A 25

Say it as three four two five

Northing 25

Remember
Find the square Look at the line on its left (Easting) Find its number from the top or bottom Look at the line along its bottom (Northing) Find its number from either side Write the Easting number, then the Northing number

What are the four figure grid references for the squares with these symbols? 3124

31 27

32

33

34

35

36 27

26
25 24

26
25 24

3223
3525 3522 3325
All right? Some wrong?
Double click icons

23
22 31 32 33 34 35 36

23
22

How to give a six figure grid reference

31
27 26 25 24

32

33 34 35 36 The church is in 27 square 3224, but where exactly is it? 26

25 24

23
22 31 32 33 34 35 36

23
22

31
27 26

32

33

34

35

36
27 26

It is nearer to 33 than to 32 But how near is nearer? 24 We need to look more closely. 23 22 31 32 33 34 35 36 25 25 24 It is nearer to 24 than to 25

23
22

Look closer at one grid square

320 250 Draw lines between the main grid lines 243 Say it as three two eight, two four three

328

330 25

A six figure reference at 328243 24 33

240 32

Remember
Find the point in the square Find the four figure grid reference See how far the point is from the line on the left of the square to the line on the right See how far the point is from the line along the bottom of the square to the line along the top

Where are these symbols? 250 325243 326247 327240 330248

320

330 250

322246
All right? Some wrong?
Double click icons

240 320 330

240

32

Remembe r

This line first

3224

24
Then this line

Remember
32

327
This line first

246 Then this line 24

Church at 327246