Reading maps is simple once you’ve got the hang of it. So here are a few steps to help:

Grid References:

Grid references are indicated by the numbers along the edge of the map, each line on the grid over the map has its own corrisponding number to identify it like the grid below:When reading grid references, you read the number along the bottom/top 1st and the number along the side 2nd(the rule being, along the corridor, up the stairs) so if i wanted to be in the square 02,18 i would find 02 at the bottom and 18 along the side and follow the lines untill they meet, you want to read the top right square to where the 2 lines intersect.

To make your reading more precise (e.g having to tell someone where you are) in a square more precise you can use a 6 figure grid reference. This is done esiest by using a romer, a transparent map reading tool, used for measuring distances and, of course helping with 6 figure grid references.

Finding a 6 figure grid reference invlves placing a 10 by 10 grid over the square you are trying to find the object in.

So the red dot, in square 02,18 is also 023,182. when reading 6 figure grid references, the 10 by 10 grid acsts as a smaller version of the main grid, once you have the locatin of the main grid, 02,18 you then read from the lines running from top to bottom, you want to read the line just to the left of the object and add the number of that line to the end of the 1st number, making it 023.

Next you need to add the last digit working from lines running left to right, again read the line just underneath the object, making it in a smaller square than the main grid, you now have the grid reference 023,182

For information on map symbols, please see the Map Symbols page

This guide was written by a scout for scouts