1. GRID REFERENCES MADE EASY
Produced by David Morris

2. A GRID REFERENCE is a number which gives a location on a map
They are very useful in Scouts when we’re out hiking
We can use them to find out where we’re supposed to be…
...or if we get lost we can tell someone where we are

3. 216409 The grid references we usually use are SIX FIGURE references
They will look something like this:
216409
A bit like a phone number

4. These numbers refer to the GRID which covers all maps
Here they’re marked in PINK so you can see them, but they’re usually BLUE

5. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
The grid is labelled with GRID NUMBERS at the bottom and left sides of the map

6. The numbers at the bottom are called EASTING because they show how far East you are. They label these lines… 20 21 22 23

7. 42
The numbers at the side are called NORTHINGS because they show how far North you are . They label these lines… 41 40

8. Each Easting refers to the column to the right of it’s grid line21

9. Each Northing refers to the row above it’s grid line40

10. Where are these EASTINGS and NORTHINGS in the Grid Reference?
216409 21 40
EASTING
NORTHING

11. 40 21 Both numbers combined give a square on the map...
The grid reference of this square is 21 40 40 21

12. EASTINGS FIRST How do you remember WHICH COMES FIRST though?
One way of remembering is to read the numbers ALONG the bottom (EASTINGS) and then those UP the side (NORTHINGS) because you go ALONG the hallway in a house before going UP the stairs

13. EXERCISE ONE FIND THE SQUARE
You’ll have a map between two, and a list of 6 figure grid references - just find the big square for each one

14. But what about these ones?
OK so we now know how to find the square from these numbers:
216409 21 6 9 40
But what about these ones?
What are they for?

15. Well the 40 and 21 only give you a big square one kilometre wide!
Not much use if you need to know where to go exactly!
1km 40 21

16. So we split each square into 100 smaller squares...

17. Each square is labelled like the grid before, but with just one number from 0 to 9 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

18. So, same as before, a square is identified by an EASTING and a NORTHING
Remember, EASTING first 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
So what’s the two numbers which identify this square?

19. That’s right: 4 and then 7
4 first as it’s the EASTING 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

20. Then 7 as it’s the NORTHING9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

21. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42 OK, let’s put it all together…
See the spot height marked 375 in the square below?

22. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
Let’s find out it’s full 6 figure reference
_ _ _ _ _ _
First, what square is it in?

23. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
Yes,
But where does this fit into the 6 figure reference?

24. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
2 1 _ _ _ _
21 first

25. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
2 1 _ 4 0 _
Then 40

26. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
Both together _ 4 0 _

27. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
Now we need to look at the missing two figures:
2 1 _ 4 0 _

28. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
2 1 _ 4 0 _
So we add the grid - usually you do this in your mind

29. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
2 1 _ 4 0 _
The spot height is in this square

30. Zooming in... 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
2 1 _ 4 0 _ 2 2 2 2

31. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
So now we have the full grid reference:

32. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
OK, what about the station in Llangollen?
_ _ _ _ _ _

33. 20 21 22 23 40 41 42
Answer:
214422

34. OK, where’s this one...
204408 20 21 22 23 40 41 42

35. Answer: Bank Fm 20 21 22 23 40 41 42

36. PRACTISE MAKES PERFECT
EXERCISE TWO
PRACTISE MAKES PERFECT
You’ll have a map between two, challenge each other to give the grid ref for a place, and the places for given refs