Grid References
Grid references give the position of a place on a map using eastings and northings.
About this topic
Grid references identify locations on Ordnance Survey-style maps using a grid of numbered lines, so that anyone can find the same square or point without confusion. Eastings (vertical lines, counted west to east) come first, then northings (horizontal lines, south to north); remember "along the corridor, then up the stairs". A four-figure reference locates a square (e.g. 3427), where the first two digits are the easting of the left edge and the last two the northing of the bottom edge.
A six-figure reference gives precision of 100 m by estimating tenths. Worked example: imagine a church in square 34 27. Divide the square into ten parts each way; if it is 6 tenths along from the left line and 3 tenths up from the bottom line, its six-figure reference is 346273, made of 34 then 6, and 27 then 3.
Practise reading the numbers along the edges, and always give the reference to the line at the bottom-left of the square, not the middle. A common mistake is reversing the order and giving the northing first, which would point to a different place. Using a ruler or the edge of paper helps estimate tenths accurately. Grid references are used in navigation, orienteering and emergency services, and in exams they are a common way of asking you to locate or identify features.
Key ideas
- Read along the corridor before up the stairs
- Four-figure references name a square
- Six-figure references pinpoint within it
Quick check
Use cases: where Grid References helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Grid References before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Grid References without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Grid References changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Grid References in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
Geography helps with city planning, climate, trade and migration.
Frequently asked questions
What is Grid References?
Grid references give the position of a place on a map using eastings and northings.
What will I learn in Grid References?
Read along the corridor before up the stairs. Four-figure references name a square. Six-figure references pinpoint within it.
Is Grid References part of Geography?
Yes. It is one of 40 Geography topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Grid References lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Grid References?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
Do I need an account, and is my progress saved?
No account is needed. Marking a topic as learned is saved in your own browser, so it stays on that device and is not sent to a server.