An azimuth is an angle measured clockwise from North (0°) through 360°. For example, East = 90°, South = 180°, West = 270°.

What is a compass quadrant bearing?

A quadrant bearing describes an angle relative to either North or South, toward either East or West. For example, N 45° E means 45° from North toward East, which equals azimuth 45°.

How do you convert azimuth to bearing?

Determine the quadrant: NE (0–90°), SE (90–180°), SW (180–270°), or NW (270–360°). Then: NE = N {az}° E; SE = S {180–az}° E; SW = S {az–180}° W; NW = N {360–az}° W.

How do you convert bearing back to azimuth?

NE: azimuth = bearing angle; SE: azimuth = 180 − bearing; SW: azimuth = 180 + bearing; NW: azimuth = 360 − bearing.

What is the maximum bearing angle in a quadrant?

The offset angle inside a quadrant bearing is always between 0° and 90°. A bearing like N 95° E is invalid.

Azimuth to Bearing Converter

Convert azimuth angles (0–360°) to compass quadrant bearings (N45°E) and back instantly.

Conversion Direction

Azimuth (0° – 360°)

Enter a value from 0 to 360. Values of exactly 0, 90, 180, or 270 map to cardinal directions.

Result

Enter a value to see the conversion.

Compass Rose

Arrow shows the current angle on the compass.

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Summary

This tool converts azimuth angles — measured clockwise from 0° (North) to 360° — into compass quadrant bearings expressed as N/S + degrees + E/W (e.g., N 45° E, S 30° W). It also converts quadrant bearings back to azimuths. Both formats are widely used in land surveying, navigation, orienteering, and map reading.

How it works

Choose a conversion direction: Azimuth → Bearing or Bearing → Azimuth.
For Azimuth → Bearing: enter a decimal degree value between 0 and 360.
For Bearing → Azimuth: select a quadrant (NE, SE, SW, NW) and enter the offset angle.
The converter applies the standard quadrant formula and shows the result immediately.
A visual compass rose updates to reflect the current angle.

Use cases

Convert GPS or map azimuths to surveying quadrant bearings.
Translate field notes between azimuth and bearing notation.
Cross-check compass readings during land surveys.
Convert bearing descriptions in legal property descriptions.
Aid students learning navigation and cartography.
Verify orienteering or hiking route directions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-05-23 · Reviewed by Nham Vu