How to Find True North Without a Compass

Co-authored by Josh Goldbach

Last Updated: December 9, 2022 References Approved

If you're trying to find your way around in the wilderness and you don't have a compass, don't worry! There are ways to figure out which direction is true north during the day time and at night. By using the sun, shadows, and the stars, you won't have any trouble finding true north and heading in the right direction.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using the Shadow-Stick Method During the Day

1
Find a straight stick that is 2 feet (0.61 m) long. If you’re in a wilderness situation, there are likely branches all around you. A straight stick at least 2 feet (0.61 m) long will cast a clean, visible shadow so you can find your direction. Generally the longer the stick, the longer the shadow will be. This helps make the shadow more visible.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- The thickness of the stick can vary, but something around 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) should work in most situations. If the sky is overcast, a thicker stick can help cast a more visible shadow.
Note: This method requires a straight stick. If you use a curved or crooked stick, your directions will be off because the shadow won’t be straight.
2
Poke the stick into flat, clean ground. Insert the stick so it's standing straight up. If the ground is hard, poke a hole with a knife or other tool you may have. Notice how the stick casts a shadow—that’s the shadow you’ll use to find your direction.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Use rocks or dirt to keep the stick standing up straight.
- It’s important that the shadow is cast on flat ground, free of grass and other vegetation. If the ground is uneven or grassy, the shadow will be distorted. Clear some ground if you have to.
Advertisement
3
Put a rock at the end of the shadow. This rock marks the shadow’s original location. Mark the original location because as the sun moves across the sky, the shadow will move too.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Since the sun moves across the sky east to west, it’s casting a shadow on the opposite side. This means that the shadow’s original location is your western-most point.
4
Wait 20 minutes. This allows enough time for the sun to move across the sky. If the shadow hasn’t visibly moved enough after 20 minutes, wait another 10.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- If you have no way to keep time, then just keep an eye on the shadow. When you see that it’s moved, you can mark the new location and proceed.
5
Mark the shadow’s new location. As the sun moves, the shadow will move east. Put either a rock or stick at the end of the shadow to mark it's new location.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Remember, use something that won't blow away. If you lose both shadow locations, you'll have to start over.
6
Draw a straight line between the rocks. Since the sun is moving west across the sky, the shadow’s new location will be further east. Connecting these 2 rocks creates an east-west line, the first step in finding which way north is.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- To connect the 2 rocks, you can either draw a straight line in the dirt or lay a straight stick between them.
7
Mark a ‘W’ on the original location and an ‘E’ on the new location. This creates a compass so you don’t forget which side is which.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Remember that the directions on a compass are North, East, South, and West in a clockwise direction. If you forget the order of the directions on a compass, remember the phrase "Never Eat Soggy Watermelon," a memory device to remember the directions.
8
Put your left foot on 'W' and your right foot on the 'E' to find north. When you're in this position, your front will be facing north and your back will be facing south. This completes the compass. The north you’re facing is true north, because you’ve used the sun rather than the Earth’s magnetic field.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- If you want to keep track of these directions, mark an ‘N’ where your front is facing and an ‘S’ where your back is facing to keep track.
- This method works the same in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The only difference is that in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun will be at your back, and in the Southern Hemisphere the sun will be in front of you.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using an Analog Watch and the Sun

1
Remove your analog watch and hold it in front of you. Get a good view of the watch face and where the hour and minute hands are pointing.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- For this method, use an analog watch with an hour and minute hand. A digital watch won’t work.
2
Point the hour hand toward the sun if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun points toward the south. Line up your watch's hour hand with the sun as the first step to discovering the north-south line.^{[11]
X
Research source}
3
Find the halfway mark between the hour hand and 12 o’clock. In the Northern Hemisphere, this halfway point marks the north-south line. True north is the side pointing away from the sun.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Some analog watches have an adjustable rim for direction finding. If your watch has this, you can adjust it so an arrow sits at this halfway point.
- Note that this method isn’t perfect because time zones throughout the world are not always consistent. You may not be able to locate the precise point of true north, but it will give you its general location.
4
Point the 12 o’clock mark towards the sun if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere. Then find the halfway mark between the hour hand and the 12 o’clock point to locate the north-south line.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- In the Southern Hemisphere, true north is the side pointing towards the sun.
5
Use 1 o'clock instead of 12 during Daylight Savings. Depending on the time of year and area of the world, Daylight Savings time could be in effect. The method works the same, but use since there is a 1-hour time difference, use 1 o'clock instead of 12.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Remember that Daylight Savings is between March and November in participating areas.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Finding the North Star in the Northern Hemisphere

1
Locate the Big Dipper constellation. This constellation, also known as Ursa Major, is the key to finding the North Star (Polaris), the star that shows you where true north is in the Northern Hemisphere. This is a large constellation, and finding it on a clear night is easy.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- The Big Dipper gets its name because it looks like a large spoon and is made up of some of the brightest stars in the sky. Look up and find the collection of stars that look like this.
- Contrary to popular belief, the North Star is not the brightest star in the sky. Use these constellations to locate it.
2
Find the outer edge of the Big Dipper. The outer edge, what looks like the end of a spoon, is made up of 2 stars. These 2 stars are known as “pointers,” because they literally point towards the North Star.^{[16]
X
Research source}
3
Draw an imaginary line outward from the pointer stars. This line should extend through the top of the spoon. The North Star sits at the end of this line.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- The North Star forms the end of the handle on the Little Dipper and is the brightest star in that constellation. When you think you’ve found the North Star, look around it and see if it’s part of a small, spoon-shaped constellation. If so, then you’ve located it.
4
Stand facing the North Star. When you’re facing the North Star, you’re facing true north. You can now use this knowledge to figure out the other directions.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Remember if you’re facing north, the other directions from right to left are east, south, and west.
5
Estimate the distance if the sky is cloudy. Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate with this method. In this case, you can still find the Big Dipper and estimate the distance to the North Star.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- The North Star is approximately 6 times the distance between the 2 pointer stars. Look at the space between those 2 stars and then multiply that distance by 6. This gives you the approximate location for the North Star.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Navigating with Stars in the Southern Hemisphere

1
Locate the Southern Cross constellation. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, the North Star won’t help you navigate. Instead, find true south using the Southern Cross constellation. This constellation is always visible in the Southern Hemisphere.^{[20]
X
Research source}
- The constellation is made up of 4 bright stars that form a kite shape if you trace the border around them.
2
Find the pointer stars. Outside the Southern Cross are 2 more bright stars known as the pointers. These are roughly parallel with the 2 stars in the Southern Cross that are closest together.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- The pointer stars are some of the brightest in the Southern Hemisphere. If you're having trouble finding the Southern Cross, locating the pointer stars is a good starting point.
3
Draw an imaginary line down from the longest angle in the Southern Cross. Two stars in the Southern Cross, Gacrux and Acrux, are the furthest apart in the constellation. Starting at the top, imagine a line extending between these 2 stars, and then continuing at the same angle outward.^{[22]
X
Research source}
- Hold a strong or a straight stick out in front of you to help envision a straight line.
- Depending on the time of year, this line may hit the ground since the constellation rotates along with Earth.
4
Draw an imaginary line from the midpoint between the pointers. The same way you drew an imaginary line from the Southern Cross, now find the midpoint between the pointers and extend a line outward. This line should intersect with the line you drew from the Southern Cross. That intersection point is true south.^{[23]
X
Research source}
- Use a natural landmark as a reference point. For instance, a tall tree in the distance could mark the intersection between the 2 lines, indicating where true south is.
5
Turn around 180 degrees with your back facing south to find true north. When you locate true south, it’s simply a matter of turning around to find true north. Make sure you rotate exactly 180 degrees, or you'll be off-center and not facing true north.^{[24]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

Does the shadow tip method (Method 1) work at any time?

Andrew Gee

Community Answer

It generally works anytime that the sun is out, but don't push it. If you wait until a few minutes before sundown when the tip of the shadow is two hundred yards into the woods, you may have trouble finding it. If you make your first reading an hour after sunrise to an hour before sunset, you should be okay.
Question

How do I find north in the dark if I have no equipment?

Community Answer

You could navigate by finding the star, Polaris. But, you should try to avoid navigating at night unless absolutely necessary.
Question

How do I find the north and south poles of a magnet using another magnet?

Community Answer

Assuming that you have two unknown magnets, but you know which direction is north, suspend a magnet from a string or float it in a bowl of water. Mark the end that points north with an "N" and the other end with an "S". Take that magnet and move it near the second magnet. The end of the second magnet that is attracted to the "N" end is the south pole of the second magnet. Mark it with an "S" and the other end with an "N".