When using a compass with a map, which north direction is referenced?

• A. Grid north
• B. True north
• C. Magnetic north
• D. Geographic north

Answer: (C)

When you use a compass with a map, you reference magnetic north. The compass needle points to magnetic north, so you orient the map by turning it until its north aligns with that magnetic-north direction. This keeps the map and the compass in the same reference frame as you navigate. Remember the other north references: grid north is the map’s own grid direction, and true north (geographic north) is toward the North Pole along the Earth's axis. If you need bearings in true or grid directions, you adjust for magnetic declination between magnetic north and those references.