A bearing is the amount of turn clockwise from the North direction. The amount of turn is given as an angle and in degrees.
North is shown with a vertical line. At the top of the line is either a diamond shape or the letter N.
A bearing is always given as a three-digit number. For numbers less than 100, use zeroes (0) at the front of the number to make three digits.
A bearing is described as to a point from a point. For example: the bearing to a ship from a lighthouse. The angle is measured at the lighthouse (the from), and is the angle between North and the ship:
A reciprocal bearing is a bearing taken from the other point. A reciprocal bearing is 180º different to the original bearing.
What is the bearing of the ship from the lighthouse?
This is a line from the lighthouse to the ship. Measure the angle between North and the line.
Measure the angle. A bearing must be three digits, so a 0 is required at the front of the angle.
Answer: 055º
What is the reciprocal bearing of the lighthouse from the ship?
The reciprocal bearing is 180º different to the original bearing. 55 + 180 = 235º.
It is always worth drawing or sketching the bearing to check that the answer is sensible.
Answer: 235º