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Map skills: grid references, scale and relief
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Ordnance Survey maps are packed with information. Reading them quickly is a skill that earns marks in every paper.
Grid references
Grid lines are numbered. Go along the corridor, then up the stairs: read the eastings (along the bottom) first, then the northings (up the side).
A four-figure grid reference names a whole square, such as 4527.
A six-figure reference pinpoints a place: divide the square into tenths, for example 453276.
A four-figure grid reference names a whole square, such as 4527.
A six-figure reference pinpoints a place: divide the square into tenths, for example 453276.
Scale and distance
On a 1:50,000 map, 1 cm = 50,000 cm = 0.5 km, so 2 cm = 1 km.
On a 1:25,000 map, 1 cm = 0.25 km, so 4 cm = 1 km.
Measure straight-line distance with a ruler; measure curved routes with the edge of a piece of paper or string.
On a 1:25,000 map, 1 cm = 0.25 km, so 4 cm = 1 km.
Measure straight-line distance with a ruler; measure curved routes with the edge of a piece of paper or string.
Relief and gradient
Contour lines join places at the same height. Close together = steep; far apart = gentle.
Spot heights give the exact height at a point; triangulation pillars are on hilltops.
Gradient = vertical rise ÷ horizontal distance (in the same units), often written as 1 in x.
Use the compass points (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) to give directions.
Spot heights give the exact height at a point; triangulation pillars are on hilltops.
Gradient = vertical rise ÷ horizontal distance (in the same units), often written as 1 in x.
Use the compass points (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) to give directions.
On a 1:50,000 map, two villages are 7 cm apart. How far apart are they in real life?
- On a 1:50,000 map, 1 cm = 0.5 km
- 7 × 0.5
Answer: 3.5 km
Four-figure references name a square; six-figure references pinpoint a place: eastings first, then northings. 1:50,000: 2 cm = 1 km; 1:25,000: 4 cm = 1 km. Close contours mean steep slopes. Gradient = rise ÷ horizontal distance.
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