How to Make a Compass Without a Magnet

If you need to determine which direction is north and don’t have a compass or magnet handy, all is not lost. There are simple ways to determine which direction is north, and to make a compass without a magnet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A correct and working analog watch
• Sunlight

1. Stand in the sunlight with your watch.

2. Hold your watch so that the hour hand is pointing in the direction of the sun. The watch must be flat, not upright.

3. Look at the point halfway between the hour hand and the 12. This indicates south, so the opposite direction is north.

4. If you are facing north, east is to your right and west is to your left.