grid references to be able to find places on the map using 4 figure and 6 figure grid references

Grid References

To be able to find places on the map using 4 figure and 6 figure

grid references

Ordnance survey

OS maps contain:

1km

N

Scale 1:50 000

symbols and place names

contour lines and spot heights

a scale

grid references and grid lines

orientation

Areas on maps can be identified with a grid reference. For example the highlighted square has the grid reference 0231.

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.

Grid references

A grid reference is a set of two numbers, the easting and the northing.

00 0230

31

32

33

34

040301

Finding a grid reference

00 0230

31

32

33

34

040301

1. Find the easting by placing your finger on the 02 line at the bottom.

2. Find the northing by placing a second finger on the 31 line at the side.

3. Draw your fingers along the lines until they meet.

The square is North-east of the point where they meet.

How would you find the grid reference of square 0231?

Let’s find grid square 21 31To 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.

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

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

T is in grid square 04 82Along to line 04

Up to line 82

Now we are at the bottom left of square 04 82

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.

What do the extra numbers mean in 024 315?

Sometimes we need to be specific about the location of a place.

Six figure grid references

Six figure grid references help us be more exact.

00 0230

31

32

33

34

040301

024 315 is the six figure grid reference of the church in grid square 02 31.

Finding a six figure grid reference

1. Use the first two digits of each three digit number to find the four figure reference, 024 315.

2. Imagine the square, 02 31, is divided into tenths vertically and horizontally.

3. Use the last digit of each three digit number, 024 315 to estimate lines at 4 tenths across the square and 5 tenths up the square.

4. 024 315 is the point where the imaginary lines cross.

02 03

31

32

How would you find the grid reference 024 315?

4

5

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 216 322 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).

Looking at our number 216 322

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.

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.

Finding six figure grid references

Let us find the 6 figure grid reference for the church on the map below

The church is in grid square 22 31.

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 222 312

Now try a few on your own…

What is the 6 figure grid reference for the church?

A 461 325

B 325 460

C 328 460

Click on the answer of your choice.

• Sorry you are wrong go back and try again

Well done that is correct

Click here for next question


What is the 6 figure grid reference for Lodge Farm?

A 303 458

B 453 305

C 306 454



What is the 6 figure grid reference for the school?

A 323 465

B 332 456

C 313 465



What is the 6 figure grid reference for the well?

A 463 315

B 316 467

C 313 463



What is at 6 figure grid reference 325 456?

A The Post Office

B Mickelham Hall

C Cowslip Farm


Well done that is correct.

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