Why do I need to allow motion/compass permission on my phone?

Your phone’s magnetometer and motion sensors provide the heading. Without permission, the browser cannot read them, so the compass cannot move.

My compass is wrong or drifts. How do I fix it?

Calibrate with a slow figure-8, remove magnetic cases, step away from large metal objects, and keep location/compass services enabled. If issues persist, try another browser or device.

What’s the difference between magnetic north and true north?

Magnetic north is where your compass points; true north is geographic north. The angle between them is local magnetic declination. Some apps correct for it; if not, you can add or subtract your local declination.

Can I use the compass without internet?

After the page loads, the heading comes from device sensors, not the network. The site may still load images (like a QR on desktop), but the compass reading itself is offline.

How do I convert degrees to directions like NNE or WSW?

Use the Bearing Converter to snap any degree value to N/NE/E… up to a 32-point compass. It also converts labels back to degrees.

Which phones are supported?

Most modern iPhone and Android devices with magnetometer and motion sensors. If your device lacks the sensors or permission is denied, the compass cannot work.

How to Use a Compass (Phone & Outdoors)

TL;DR Quick Start

Open 123Compass on your phone. If you’re on desktop, scan the QR to switch to mobile.
Hold the phone flat, screen up. Tap Enable Compass and allow permission.
Turn yourself or the phone; the dial moves, the crosshair stays. The red marker points to North.
Want words instead of numbers? Use the Bearing Converter to turn degrees into N/NE/E…

No account, no app install. The heading comes from your device sensors right in the browser.

Phone Setup (iPhone & Android)

iPhone

Open the site in Safari or your preferred browser.
Tap Enable Compass → allow motion/compass permission.
If you don’t get a prompt, refresh and tap again, or check Settings → Privacy & Security → Motion & Orientation.
Remove magnetic cases or wallet attachments if readings seem off.

Android

Open the site in Chrome or your preferred browser.
Tap Enable Compass → allow permission when prompted.
If nothing moves, toggle sensors/permissions in Site Settings, or try a different browser.
Some budget phones lack a magnetometer; if so, the compass cannot work.

Calibration & Accuracy

Do a slow figure-8. Hold your phone and draw a big, lazy figure-8 in the air. This often fixes drift and offsets.
Step away from metal. Desks, cars, speakers, charging pads, and even heavy zippers can skew the reading.
Strip the magnets. Magnetic cases, snap-on wallets, and ring holders are frequent culprits.
Keep location/compass services on. Some systems blend motion + magnetometer with location context.
Try another app/browser. If one browser blocks sensor APIs, a different one may behave.

Why the compass drifts

Phone compasses juggle multiple sensors. Tiny biases, nearby magnets, or even your movement pattern can nudge the heading. Calibration helps the phone learn the local field and settle down.

Reading the Dial (Degrees to Directions)

Azimuth in degrees: North is 0° / 360°, East is 90°, South 180°, West 270°.
Headings vs bearings: Your heading is where the phone faces; a bearing is the direction to a target. Turn until heading ≈ desired bearing.
Want NNE/WSW labels? Pop the number into the Bearing Converter and choose 16- or 32-point for finer names.

Mini cheat sheet

0° = N, 45° = NE, 90° = E
135° = SE, 180° = S, 225° = SW
270° = W, 315° = NW

Magnetic vs True North (Declination Basics)

Your phone’s compass points to magnetic north. Maps often use true north (geographic). The gap between them is your local magnetic declination and it changes by location (and slowly over years).

If your app already corrects: Great—your display may show true bearings.
If not: Adjust your bearing by the local declination value (east declination is typically added; west is subtracted).
Field tip: For casual use in cities, the difference is small; for hiking, align with what your map or route notes expect.

5-Minute Practice Drills

Box the compass. Pick a starting point. Walk 20 steps north, 20 east, 20 south, 20 west. You should land near where you began.
Handrail a feature. Choose a long feature (path, fence line, shoreline). Keep your heading parallel to it while moving.
Aim off. If you’re headed for a small target on a long line (like a trail), deliberately aim a few degrees to one side so you know which way to turn when you hit the line.
Feature hopping. Pick visible features (bench → tree → sign). Move between them on set headings to build confidence.

Troubleshooting (Fast Fixes)

No movement? Refresh and tap Enable Compass, then allow permission. Try another browser if needed.
Shows “Open on a mobile device” on desktop? Scan the QR on the homepage to switch to your phone.
Weird readings? Do a figure-8, remove magnetic accessories, move away from metal, and close other sensor-heavy apps.
Still stuck? Email us: thegeekpagesite@gmail.com.

FAQ

Why do I need to allow permission?

The compass uses your phone’s motion and magnetometer sensors. Without permission, the browser can’t access them.

Does it work offline?

Once loaded, the heading comes from device sensors. Network calls (like a QR image on desktop) aren’t needed for the reading itself.

Is North always “up” on the dial?

No. On 123Compass, the dial rotates under a fixed crosshair. The red marker indicates North, but “up” is just your current heading.

What if my phone doesn’t have a magnetometer?

Then a real compass reading isn’t possible. You can still use maps and GPS, but the heading won’t update like a true compass.

How exact should I be?

For city walking, ±10° is usually fine. For hiking or boating, practice with the drills above and consider declination if your route requires it.

How to Use a Compass Phone & Outdoors