Four and six figure grid references
Find the square first. Then narrow down the position.
Read eastings first, then northings. A four figure reference locates a square. A six figure reference gives a more precise position within it.
Four figures: find the square
Use the easting on the left edge of the square, then the northing on its bottom edge. Keep leading zeros. The reference describes the whole square, not one exact point.
Six figures: split it into tenths
Estimate how far across the square the point lies, then how far up. Add each extra digit to its own coordinate: three easting digits followed by three northing digits.
Worked example
| An invented point in a map square |
|---|
| Left easting: 24 · Bottom northing: 36 · Point: 7 tenths across, 2 tenths up |
- Four figure reference = 2436. It names the square between eastings 24–25 and northings 36–37.
- Easting part = 247. Northing part = 362.
- Six figure reference = 247362. Keep the easting digits together and the northing digits together.
On a grid with 1 km squares, tenths represent 100 m. Check the grid interval before attaching a distance. Grid references are different from latitude and longitude.
Check you’ve got it
A point is 3 tenths across and 8 tenths up in square 0521. What is its six figure reference?
Check your answer
053218. The leading zero is part of the easting and must stay.
Try it yourself
Use this new resource. Check your answers, then try another set.
Four and six figure grid references
Read along the eastings, then up the northings. The marked point lies inside a grid square.
Scroll the diagram sideways to see the full resource.
Resource description
Point A is 5 tenths east of easting 13 and 2 tenths north of northing 21. Eastings 10–15 and northings 20–25.