1. Grid References
To be able to find places on the map using 4 figure and 6 figure grid references

2. Ordnance survey OS maps contain: symbols and place names
contour lines and spot heights
a scale
grid references and grid lines
orientation
Map credit: Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
© Crown Copyright All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number N
1km
Scale 1:50 000

3. Grid references
Areas on maps can be identified with a grid reference. For example the highlighted square has the grid reference 0231. 34
The first two digit number is the easting. This is the number at the top or bottom of a map.
The second two digit number is
the northing. This is the number at the side of a map. 33 32 31
Map credit: Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
© Crown Copyright All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 30 00 01 02 03 04
A grid reference is a set of two numbers, the easting and the northing.

4. Finding a grid reference
How would you find the grid reference of square 0231? 34
Find the easting by placing your finger on the 02 line at the bottom.
Find the northing by placing a second finger on the 31 line at the side.
Draw your fingers along the lines until they meet. 33 32
Map credit: Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
© Crown Copyright All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 31
The square is North-east of the point where they meet. 30 00 01 02 03 04

5. Let’s find grid square 21 31
To read a 4 figure grid reference go along to the line number of the first 2 numbers and then go up to the line with the second 2 numbers.

6. You are now at the bottom left hand corner of grid square 21 31

7. What grid square is the letter T in?
See how the grid line numbers are now shown on the map
Click here to see if you’re right

8. T is in grid square 04 82 Along to line 04 Up to line 82
Now we are at the bottom left of square 04 82

9. 6 figure grid references
A four figure reference will point you to a square on the map.
Six figure grid references are used to pin point a location within a square.
It is important to be able to both find details given by a 6 figure grid reference as well as being able to work out the 6 figure grid reference for any point on the map.

10. Six figure grid references34
Sometimes we need to be specific about the location of a place. 33
Six figure grid references help us be more exact. 32 31
is the six figure grid reference of the church in grid square
Map credit: Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
© Crown Copyright All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 30 00 01 02 03 04
What do the extra numbers mean in ?

11. Finding a six figure grid reference
How would you find the grid reference ?
Use the first two digits of each three digit number to find the four figure reference,
Imagine the square, 02 31, is divided into tenths vertically and horizontally.
Use the last digit of each three digit number, to estimate lines at 4 tenths across the square and 5 tenths up the square.
is the point where the imaginary lines cross. 32 5
Map credit: Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
© Crown Copyright All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 31 4 02 03

12. How to work out 6 figure grid references…
Let us first look at how the 6 figure grid reference is made up.
Let us take as an example.
The first 3 figures refer to the easting of the point (or the distance along the map)
While the second 3 figures refer to the northing of the point (or the distance up the map).

13. Looking at our number
Start by working out the basic Easting and Northing as you would for a 4 figure
grid reference using only the first 2 easting values and the first 2 northing values.
Then imagine that grid square divided into tenths.
216 is the Easting.
21 is the grid line and 6 is the number of tenths along towards the next grid line.
322 is the Northing.
32 is the grid line and 2 is the number of tenths along towards the next grid line.

14. Finding six figure grid references
Worksheets: The worksheet Six Figure Grid References accompanies this slide.
Map credit: Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
© Crown Copyright All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number

15. Let us find the 6 figure grid reference for the church on the map below
The church is in grid square
If we imagine that square divided into 10 parts, the church is 2 tenths further east and 2 tenths further north.
So the 6 figure grid reference will be

16. Now try a few on your own…
What is the 6 figure grid reference for the church? A B C
Click on the answer of your choice.

17. Sorry you are wrong go back and try again

18. Well done that is correct
Click here for next question

19. Now try a few on your own…
What is the 6 figure grid reference for Lodge Farm? A B C
Click on the answer of your choice.

20. Sorry you are wrong go back and try again

21. Well done that is correct
Click here for next question

22. Now try a few on your own…
What is the 6 figure grid reference for the school? A B C
Click on the answer of your choice.

23. Sorry you are wrong go back and try again

24. Well done that is correct
Click here for next question

25. Now try a few on your own…
What is the 6 figure grid reference for the well? A B C
Click on the answer of your choice.

26. Sorry you are wrong go back and try again

27. Well done that is correct
Click here for next question

28. Now try a few on your own…
What is at 6 figure grid reference ?
A The Post Office
B Mickelham Hall
C Cowslip Farm
Click on the answer of your choice.

29. Sorry you are wrong go back and try again

30. Well done that is correct.
If you now feel more confident about 6 figure grid references click here to return to the main menu.
If you want to return to the beginning of this section on 6 figure grid references click here.