Magnetic Declination Converter
Convert between true north and magnetic north bearings.
Enter declination angle to adjust compass readings for your location.
Enter your local declination and a bearing — convert between true and magnetic.
Magnetic declination is the angle between true north and magnetic north.
The conversion:
- True Bearing = Magnetic Bearing + Declination
- Magnetic Bearing = True Bearing - Declination
East declination is positive, West declination is negative.
Example declination values (approximate, they change over time):
- New York, USA: -13 deg (west declination)
- London, UK: -1 deg (west declination)
- Los Angeles, USA: 12 deg (east declination)
- Sydney, Australia: 12 deg (east declination)
- Tokyo, Japan: -7 deg (west declination)
Important notes:
- Declination changes slowly over time (about 0.1 deg per year in many places).
- Always use the current declination for your specific location.
- NOAA provides current declination data at ngdc.noaa.gov.