How to Use Your Watch As a Compass

Whether you're lost in the woods or wondering which direction the windows face in a house you are thinking of buying, you may need to find north without a compass. An ordinary wristwatch can provide the answer. Follow these steps to find out how.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Matchstick
• Analog wristwatch or digital wristwatch
• A sheet of paper
• A pencil or pen

Northern Hemisphere

1. Holding the watch so the hands are parallel to the ground, point the hour hand toward the sun.

2. Take a matchstick and lay it on the watch face so the head covers the number halfway between the hour hand and the number 12.

3. The match head is pointing south, and the other end points north.

4. If your watch is set to daylight saving time, use the number 1 as a reference point instead of 12.

Southern Hemisphere

1. Holding the watch so the hands are parallel to the ground, point the number 12 toward the sun.

2. Take a matchstick and lay it on the watch face so the head covers the number halfway between the number 12 and the hour hand.

3. The match head is pointing north.

4. If your watch is set to daylight saving time, use the number 1 as a reference point instead of 12.

Tips & Warnings

• If you only have a digital watch, you can simply draw a watch face on a sheet of paper and use it instead.

• The closer you get to the equator, the less accurate this method will be.