🧭 Navigation & Cartography
Compass Heading & Cardinal Direction Converter
Convert compass azimuth ($0^\circ - 360^\circ$) to 16 & 32-point cardinal points ($\text{N}, \text{NNE}, \text{NE}$), $\text{NATO Mils}$, $\text{Radians}$, and reciprocal $\text{Back Azimuths}$.
⬆️ North (0° / 360°)
↗️ Northeast (45°)
➡️ East (90°)
↘️ Southeast (135°)
⬇️ South (180°)
↙️ Southwest (225°)
⬅️ West (270°)
↖️ Northwest (315°)
Compass Azimuth Angle
16-Point Cardinal Point
NE (Northeast)
NATO Mils
800 mils
Radians
0.7854 rad
Back Azimuth
225.0° (SW)
💡 Reciprocal Heading Rule:
$$\text{Back Azimuth} = (\theta + 180^\circ) \bmod 360^\circ \implies 45^\circ + 180^\circ = 225^\circ\text{ (SW)}$$
Understanding 16-Point & 32-Point Compass Divisions
A 360-degree circle is divided into angular sectors for maritime steering, meteorology wind tracking, and orienteering:
- Principal Winds (4 Points / $90^\circ$ step): North ($0^\circ$), East ($90^\circ$), South ($180^\circ$), West ($270^\circ$).
- Half-Winds (8 Points / $45^\circ$ step): NE ($45^\circ$), SE ($135^\circ$), SW ($225^\circ$), NW ($315^\circ$).
- Three-Quarter Winds (16 Points / $22.5^\circ$ step): NNE ($22.5^\circ$), ENE ($67.5^\circ$), ESE ($112.5^\circ$), SSE ($157.5^\circ$), SSW ($202.5^\circ$), WSW ($247.5^\circ$), WNW ($292.5^\circ$), NNW ($337.5^\circ$).
- NATO Mils: The military divides the circle into $6,400\text{ angular mils}$ ($1\text{ mil} \approx 1\text{ meter at 1 kilometer}$).