Map Bearing Romer Tool
Provides a protractor and compass rose for reading whole-circle, quadrant and back bearings off maps.
Bearing
Whole-circle bearing, 0–360° clockwise from north. Runs in your browser.
- Forward bearing
- 45°
- Back bearing
- 225°
- Quadrant (reduced)
- N45°00′00″E
Before you rely on this: First-pass guide only. Verify safety-critical or regulated work against the relevant standards, your project requirements and a qualified professional.
How to use this calculator
- Pick a bearing format (DD, DMS or DDM) and enter a whole-circle bearing.
- The compass rose draws that direction from the centre.
- Read the forward bearing, the back bearing and the quadrant (reduced) notation.
How it works
Whole-circle bearings are measured clockwise from north (0–360°). The rose places north at the top and draws your bearing as a solid line, with its back bearing (±180°) shown dashed.
It also gives the quadrant (reduced) form — e.g. 135° = S 45° E — so you can move confidently between the two notations used on maps and plans.
Frequently asked questions
What's a back bearing?
The bearing looking the opposite way along the same line — the forward bearing plus or minus 180°. It's used to check and to set out the reverse direction.
Is this official course material?
No. It is free study support mapped to surveying course levels — not official North Metropolitan TAFE content or advice. Always follow your lecturer and the official assessment brief, and check your own working.
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Cite this tool
Zerdly. (2026). Map Bearing Romer Tool. Retrieved from https://www.zerdly.com/tools/map-bearing-romer-tool/
Tip: Enter any known values to calculate the remaining results.
All calculations run in your browser. Your inputs are never saved or transmitted.