7 Ways to Tell North Without a Compass (Northern & Southern Hemispheres)

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Learn to find north in the wilderness, whether it’s day or night
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If you're trying to find your way around in the wilderness and you don't have a compass, don't worry! Whether it’s day or night, there are plenty of ways to figure out which direction is north as long as you can see the sun or stars. In this article, we’ll show you 7 ways to use sticks, stars, shadows, the sun, and even your watch to orient yourself and find your way again. Keep scrolling to learn more!

How do you find true north without a compass?

Plant a straight stick that’s 2 feet (0.6 m) tall into flat, clear ground. Put a rock at the tip of the stick’s shadow, then wait 20 minutes. Put another rock at the tip of the shadow’s new location. The line between the rocks is an east-west line. Stand on the line with your left foot on the first rock to face north.

Section 1 of 7:

Using the Shadow-Stick Method During the Day

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  1. 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. [1]
    • Generally, the longer the stick, the longer the shadow will be. This helps make the shadow more visible.
    • The thickness of the stick can vary, but something around 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) should work. If the sky is overcast, a thicker stick can cast a more visible shadow.
    • 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.

    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. This rock marks the shadow’s original location; as the sun moves across the sky, the shadow will move too. Then, wait about 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. [2]
    • Since the sun moves across the sky from 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.
    • 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.
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  3. As the sun moves, the shadow will move east. Put either a rock or a stick at the end of the shadow to mark its new location. [3]
    • Remember, use something that won't blow away. If you lose both shadow locations, you'll have to start over.
    • Optional: Draw a line on the ground or lay a stick between the two rocks to create a visible east-west line. [4]
    • Optional: If you have a marker, mark a “W” on the first rock and an “E” on the new rock. This creates a compass so you don’t forget which side is which. [5]
    • 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.
  4. 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. [6]
    • 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.
    • 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. [7]
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Section 2 of 7:

Using an Analog Watch and the Sun

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  1. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun points toward the south. Remove your analog watch (if you have one) and line up your watch's hour hand with the sun as the first step to discovering the north-south line. [8]
    • For this method, use an analog watch with an hour and minute hand. A digital watch won’t work.
  2. Imagine a straight line running through this point. In the Northern Hemisphere, this halfway point marks the north-south line. True north is the side pointing away from the sun. [9]
    • 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.
  3. Then find the halfway mark between the hour hand and the 12 o’clock point to locate the north-south line. [10]
    • In the Southern Hemisphere, true north is the side pointing towards the sun.
  4. Depending on the time of year and area of the world, Daylight Saving Time could be in effect. The method works the same, but since there is a 1-hour time difference, use 1 o'clock instead of 12. [11]
    • Remember that Daylight Saving Time is between March and November in participating areas.
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Section 3 of 7:

Finding the North Star (Northern Hemisphere)

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  1. 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 usually straightforward. [12]
    • 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.
    • The outer edge, which 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. [13]
    • Contrary to popular belief, the North Star is not the brightest star in the sky. Use these constellations to locate it.
  2. This line should extend through the top of the spoon. The North Star sits at the end of this line. [14]
    • 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!
  3. When you’re facing the North Star, you’re facing true north. You can now use this knowledge to figure out the other directions. [15]
    • Remember that if you’re facing north, the other directions from right to left are east, south, and west.
  4. 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. [16]
    • 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.
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Section 4 of 7:

Navigating with the Southern Cross (Southern Hemisphere)

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  1. 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. [17]
    • The constellation is made up of 4 bright stars that form a kite shape if you trace the border around them.
  2. 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. [18]
    • 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. 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. [19]
    • Hold a string 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. In the same way you drew an imaginary line from the Southern Cross, imagine a line connecting the pointers. From the midpoint of that line, extend a perpendicular line outward. This line should intersect with the line you drew from the Southern Cross. That intersection point is true south. [20]
    • 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. 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.
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Section 5 of 7:

Finding North with 2 Sticks and a Star

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  1. 1
    Grab 2 tall sticks and plant them in the ground to align with a star. First, put a long stick in the ground so that its tip is about at your eye level (if you can’t find one tall enough, sit down instead of standing up). Then, grab a second, taller stick and plant it in the ground behind the first one. Orient the sticks so that the tips of both are aligned with a bright star from your point of view. [21]
  2. 2
    Wait for the star to move, then note its direction to find north. As the Earth rotates, the stick tips will move out of alignment with the star you chose. The direction that the star appears to move will tell you which direction you’re facing: [22]
    • If the star moves up , you’re facing east .
    • If the star moves down , you’re facing west .
    • If the star moves left , you’re facing north .
    • If the star moves right , you’re facing south .
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Section 6 of 7:

Finding North with Moss & Other Nature

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  1. 1
    Moss often grows on the north side of trees and rocks in the Northern Hemisphere. Moss favors the damp and cold, and since the sun hangs in the south in the Northern Hemisphere, that means the north faces of objects like trees and rocks are more likely to grow moss than other sides. This isn’t a 100% effective rule—moss can grow anywhere, technically—but it can help reassure you that you’re heading in the right direction. [23]
    • In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite is true. Moss tends to grow on the south side of trees and rocks.
  2. 2
    Ants prefer to build colonies on the south side of tree bases (Northern Hemisphere). After you’ve examined some tree moss, check the base of the tree for an ant colony. Ants prefer warmth and sunlight, so they often orient their colonies to face the sun. Since the sun hangs in the southern sky, this means they often build on the south-facing sides of trees. [24]
    • So, north would be on the opposite side of the tree than the ant colony (approximately).
    • Think the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere. Ant colonies are more likely to be on the north side of trees down under.
    • Again, this isn’t a 100% accurate rule, but it can be a supporting clue if you’re lost and trying to find your way.
  3. 3
    Tree branches and plants tend to face the south to receive more sun. Since sunlight is crucial for photosynthesis and plant survival, you may notice that some trees have a little bit more branch growth on the south side of the trunk. Likewise, if you come across a particularly lush patch of vegetation in the wilderness, there’s a good chance that you’re on a south-facing slope. [25]
    • So, the direction facing away from heavy growth would be north (approximately).
    • These definitely aren’t surefire solutions to finding north, so use this knowledge to complement a different direction-finding method, like using a watch or stick.
    • In the Southern Hemisphere, tree branches and plants are more likely to face the north.
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Section 7 of 7:

Finding North with a Phone

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  1. 1
    Use a compass app or widget to find north if you have a smartphone. Most smartphones come with a pre-installed compass you may be able to use. This is a pretty handy tool as long as you have battery. As outdoor education expert Josh Goldbach says, “Some of those kinds of tools are incredible. But, I always have a lot of nerves about relying on something that's so battery-dependent.”
  2. 2
    Download a topographical map to your phone or another device. Goldbach continues, “There are a lot of forms of technology that have really helped me, whether they're those Garmin-style GPS devices or even your phone. For most people, you’re able to load a map of the whole area and use your GPS location [to navigate]. Even if it's at night and you only have a topographic map, if you have enough visibility via moonlight to see really great landmarks, you can identify yourself in relation to objects. That's really useful.”
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Community Q&A

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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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".
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      References

      1. ↑ https://scoutlife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/1739/true-north/
      2. ↑ https://scoutlife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/1739/true-north/
      3. ↑ http://www.scoutsociety.org/repository/orienteering/Finding-North.html
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/tabUcNGozdA?t=205
      5. ↑ http://www.scoutsociety.org/repository/orienteering/Finding-North.html
      6. ↑ http://www.scoutsociety.org/repository/orienteering/Finding-North.html
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/tabUcNGozdA?t=292
      8. ↑ https://geographyfieldwork.com/WatchasCompass.htm
      9. ↑ https://geographyfieldwork.com/WatchasCompass.htm
      1. ↑ https://geographyfieldwork.com/WatchasCompass.htm
      2. ↑ https://scoutlife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/1739/true-north/
      3. ↑ https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/what-is-the-north-star-and-how-do-you-find-it/
      4. ↑ https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/what-is-the-north-star-and-how-do-you-find-it/
      5. ↑ https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/what-is-the-north-star-and-how-do-you-find-it/
      6. ↑ https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/what-is-the-north-star-and-how-do-you-find-it/
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_gT9nBfhfo&t=236s
      8. ↑ https://earthsky.org/favorite-star-patterns/the-southern-cross-signpost-of-southern-skies/
      9. ↑ https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/7486/navigating-by-the-southern-cross
      10. ↑ https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/7486/navigating-by-the-southern-cross
      11. ↑ https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/7486/navigating-by-the-southern-cross
      12. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/find-your-way-without-compass
      13. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/find-your-way-without-compass
      14. ↑ https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/services/nature-parks-preserves-and-programs/how-read-nature-compass
      15. ↑ https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/services/nature-parks-preserves-and-programs/how-read-nature-compass
      16. ↑ https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/services/nature-parks-preserves-and-programs/how-read-nature-compass

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To find true North at night without a compass, locate the North Star if you live in the Northern hemisphere, which is the last star in the handle of the Little Dipper constellation. To find true North during the day, place a stick straight up in the ground and mark where the stick's shadow lands with a rock. Repeat this again after 10-15 minutes. Then, draw a line between the two marks which will run from East to West. Stand on this line with the first mark on your left, and the other mark on your right and you will be facing true North. To learn how to find true North using the stars from the Equator or southern hemisphere, scroll down!

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      • Anonymous

        Jan 7, 2017

        "The best technique with tools like string, stick, rocks, etc. I like it!"
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