Bearing Calculator
Calculate the compass bearing (azimuth) from one GPS coordinate to another. Returns the initial bearing in degrees and compass direction. Accepts any coordinate format.
Initial bearing is the compass heading at Point A pointing toward Point B, following the great-circle route. The return bearing is the heading at Point B back toward Point A — not simply 180° opposite, due to Earth's curvature.
Compass Bearing
Initial Bearing (A → B)
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Heading to depart from A toward B
Return Bearing (B → A)
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Heading to return from B back to A
Understanding Bearings
Bearing is measured clockwise from True North: 0° = North, 90° = East, 180° = South, 270° = West. A bearing of 053° (NNE) means you're heading 53 degrees clockwise from north.
Why initial and return bearing differ: On a sphere, the great-circle route curves. A flight from New York to London departs on a heading of roughly 053° (NNE), but arrives pointing roughly 100° (E) because the path arced northward over Greenland. The return bearing from London to New York is not simply 053° + 180° = 233° — it departs at roughly 280° (WNW).
True vs. Magnetic: This calculator returns true bearing (relative to True North). To get magnetic bearing for navigation, subtract your local magnetic declination from the true bearing.
16-Point Compass Reference
The Formula
y = sin(Δlng) × cos(lat₂) x = cos(lat₁) × sin(lat₂) − sin(lat₁) × cos(lat₂) × cos(Δlng) θ = atan2(y, x) bearing = (θ + 360) mod 360
Aviation
Pilots file flight plans using true bearing. ATC uses bearings to describe aircraft positions relative to VORs and airways.
Marine Navigation
Sailors use bearings to take compass fixes on landmarks, avoiding obstacles and plotting courses between waypoints.
Military
MGRS coordinates are often combined with bearings to describe target locations relative to observer positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is azimuth vs bearing?
Azimuth and bearing are often used interchangeably in navigation. Technically, azimuth is always measured 0–360° clockwise from north. "Bearing" sometimes refers to a quadrant format (e.g. N53°E) but in modern navigation usually means the same 0–360° convention.
What is magnetic declination and should I account for it?
Magnetic declination is the angle between True North (geographic) and Magnetic North (compass needle). This calculator returns true bearing. To navigate with a physical compass, subtract your local declination if west of True North or add it if east. The NOAA World Magnetic Model provides current declination values.
Why does the return bearing differ from initial bearing + 180°?
Because great-circle routes curve on a flat map. A direct flight from New York to London departs NNE but arrives pointing nearly east — the route arced north over Greenland. The return from London is WNW, not SSW. This is normal and expected for any long-distance great-circle route.
What is a back bearing?
A back bearing (or reciprocal bearing) is the opposite direction. For navigation, if you want to retrace your steps, add or subtract 180° from your current bearing. This calculator shows the true back-bearing computed from the actual great-circle, not just ±180°.