Bearing Calculator
Calculate bearing (direction) between two coordinates.
출발점
기본값: 서울시청
도착점
기본값: 부산시청
SE (남동)
* 방위각은 북(0°)을 기준으로 시계 방향으로 측정합니다. 초기 방위각(initial bearing)입니다.
Overview
Calculate the bearing (direction) between two geographic coordinates. Provides the angle from true north (0°) clockwise, along with 16-point compass direction (e.g., NNE). Useful for navigation, drone path planning, antenna alignment, and outdoor activities.
Formula
Bearing formula: θ = atan2(sin(Δλ)·cos(φ₂), cos(φ₁)·sin(φ₂) − sin(φ₁)·cos(φ₂)·cos(Δλ)). Normalize result to 0–360° range. Reverse bearing is computed by swapping start and end points. 16-point compass: divide bearing by 22.5° and round to nearest direction. Example: 158° → SSE.
How to Use
- 1Enter latitude and longitude of the starting point.
- 2Enter latitude and longitude of the destination point.
- 3Forward bearing, reverse bearing, and 16-point compass direction are displayed.
- 4Distance between the points is also calculated for reference.
Tips
- ✔Bearing 0° = North, 90° = East, 180° = South, 270° = West.
- ✔Forward and reverse bearings differ by slightly more or less than 180° (great-circle property).
- ✔Use initial bearing for setting drone or robot movement direction.
- ✔Note the difference between magnetic north and true north when comparing with a compass.
- ✔Bearing from Seoul to Busan is approximately SSE (south-southeast), about 160°.
FAQ
Q. What is a bearing?
A bearing is the angle measured clockwise from true north (0°/360°). East is 90°, south is 180°, and west is 270°. It is used in navigation, surveying, and GPS to express travel direction.
Q. Why are forward and reverse bearings different?
Because Earth is spherical, traveling along a great-circle path means the direction changes continuously. The bearing from A to B and the bearing from B to A differ by slightly more or less than 180° due to Earth's curvature.
Q. What is the 16-point compass?
The 16-point compass subdivides directions into 16 sectors: the 4 cardinal (N, E, S, W), 4 intercardinal (NE, SE, SW, NW), and 8 additional points (NNE, ENE, ESE, SSE, SSW, WSW, WNW, NNW). Each sector spans 22.5°.
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