Step 4 - pivot the paper until you get to the end point. Step 3 - every time the route curves, pivot (turn) the paper to continue to follow the route and make another mark. Step 2 - place the paper on the map and make a mark at the start of the route. Step 1 - mark on the map the route you wish to measure. To measure a road that is not straight, lay a piece of string along the route or use a piece of paper to work out the distance. An easy way to remember this is that you always have to go along the corridor (eastings) before you go up the stairs (northings). For example, if the easting is 47 and the northing is 33, the grid reference is 47 33.Īlways write down the eastings first and then the northings. When put together, these two sets of numbers give the four-figure grid reference. Step 3 - Combine this number with the original number. Step 2 - Follow the northings (the horizontal lines) from the bottom of the map up until you find the same corner and make a note of this number, eg 33. Step 1 - Start at the left hand side of the map and follow the eastings (the vertical lines) along until you come to the bottom left-hand corner of the square you are looking for. Here are the steps you should follow to produce a four-figure grid reference: This gives you the grid reference of the square. This is done by reading the numbers from the eastings and northings.

A grid reference is a useful tool for identifying any square on a map.

World grid square map