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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hike-magnetic-declination

What is magnetic declination, which compass users must adjust for?

The angle between magnetic north and true north. Compasses point to magnetic north.

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  1. The angle between magnetic and true north ✔
  2. How fast a compass needle spins
  3. The tilt of a trail uphill

Why: A compass points to magnetic north, but maps use true north. NOAA says the difference, called declination, changes with your location and over time, so check the current value for your area.

Huh, didn't know that: Declination is called positive when magnetic north is east of true north and negative when it is west.

The dad joke
I could not decide which way to go, so I declined. My compass called it magnetic declination.
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References

Answer: The angle between magnetic and true north. A compass points to magnetic north, but maps use true north. NOAA says the difference, called declination, changes with your location and over time, so check the current value for your area.

  1. NOAA NCEI: Magnetic Declination www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/magnetic-declination
    Magnetic declination (sometimes called magnetic variation) is the angle between magnetic north and true north.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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