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

Name: Azimuth to Bearing Converter
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

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.

Copied!

Summary

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

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

Related tools

Unit Converter Percentage Calculator

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