What Is A 6 Figure Grid Reference

Learn how to use grid references to locate places on a map. A six figure grid reference identifies an exact location within a grid square using eastings and northings.

Learn how to give a six figure grid reference that tells us the exact point within a grid square. A six figure grid reference takes the form EEXNNY and uses mini eastings and northings to measure distances.

Learn what grid references are and how to use them to locate places on a map. Find out the difference between 4-figure and 6-figure grid references and see practical examples.

Six-figure grid reference The six figure grid reference gives the exact location of a feature. For example, the six figure grid reference of A would be 623188. The first three digits gives the Eastings and the next three digits, the Northings. To get the third digit in the Eastings one has to mentally divide the space between 62 to 63 into 10

A six-figure grid reference describes the location of something to within 100 square meters. This is the level of accuracy you'll want when describing the location of a stricken individual to mountain rescue. On a standard topographical map, there are no lines beyond those that are spaced 1km apart to help you achieve this level of accuracy

Six-figure grid references let you accurately describe a location within inside a grid square. To start with, you need to imagine that the grid square is divided into ten horizontal and ten vertical sections. Here is one grid square divided up. The four-figure grid reference for the square is 0179.

To get the six-figure grid reference, you have to imagine that the four-figure square is further divided up into tenths. In the example below, the grey box is in the four-figure grid reference square '18 44', but more accurately it is 7 tenths across and 8 tenths up within that larger grid square, therefore the six-figure map reference is

Six-figure grid references. If you want to pinpoint an more exact place on a map, such as your own house, you will need to use a six-figure grid reference. First find the four-figure grid reference for the square and write it down with a space after each set of numbers, like this 62_ 33_

Learn how to use four-figure and six-figure grid references on OS maps to locate places and features. A six-figure grid reference is a more precise way of pinpointing a location within a square on the map.

You now have a six figure grid reference. In this instance, the tourist information office is located at 476334. Figure caption, Grid references.