Four Figure Grid References

On many maps you will see a number of vertical and horizontal lines which cross each other to form a grid which covers the entire map. The picture below shows a typical grid. Notice one grid square is shaded. 

If we wanted to identify the shaded square we could simply state the four figure grid reference for it. This is very easy to do. 

The lines which run from north to south are called eastings. Each easting on a map is identified by its own two digit number which can be found at both ends of it. The lines which run from east to west are called northings. Each northing has its own two digit number as well. 

To give the four figure grid reference for any grid square on a map, we simply state the number of the easting on the left side of the square and the number of the northing directly under it. In the case of the shaded square above, the easting on the left is easting 56 and the northing below it is 85. Therefore the four figure grid reference for this square is 5685. 

It is important to note that the easting must always come before the northing in a four figure grid reference. You must also remember that a four figure grid reference must not contain any spaces, dots, commas or anything other than the four digits.

Click here for more information on four figure grid references!