Map Reading Lesson: A Quick Guide
Maps are like pictures of places seen from above. They help us find where we are, where we want to go, and what the land looks like. They're tools for understanding our world, from cities and rivers to hills and valleys.
Learning how to read a map means learning how to navigate land, understand terrain, and measure distance. By learning to read maps, you can understand directions, symbols, colors, and land shapes more easily.
The Map Legend and Colors
The legend explains the symbols and colors used on a map. It's usually located in the lower left corner.
| Color | What It Shows |
| Black | Man-made features (cities, roads) |
| Blue | Water (rivers, lakes) |
| Green | Vegetation (forests) |
| Brown | Elevation (contour lines) |
| Red | Highways, important roads |
Note: Always check the legend before using the map.
Legends also help interpret map symbols like dashed lines (trails), triangles (mountain peaks), or small circles (wells). Without the legend, even experienced readers might misinterpret the map's meaning.
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Understanding Map Scale
Map scale shows how distance on the map relates to distance in real life. A scale of 1:50,000 means 1 unit on the map equals 50,000 units on the ground. For example, 1 centimeter on a map equals 500 meters in reality.
Topographic maps are slightly different. While the horizontal distances follow the scale, vertical features such as hills or valleys are shown using contour lines, not scaled shapes. Thus, symbols may also not represent true size.
Three Types of North
On military and topographic maps, you'll find three types of north:
- True North: Direction to the North Pole.
- Magnetic North: Direction a compass points.
- Grid North: Direction of the map's vertical grid lines.
These three norths can differ slightly, and maps often include a declination diagram to show the angle between them. Understanding them is essential to orienting your map correctly before navigating.
Compass Basics: Azimuths, Mils, and Sights
- Azimuth: A direction measured clockwise in degrees from 0° (north) to 360°.
- Mils: Used in military navigation for greater precision. There are 6400 mils in a full circle. 1 degree = ~17.7 mils.
- Sights: A typical military compass has two sights to help align it with landmarks. These help you get accurate bearings.
Also, learn the concept of a back azimuth: it's the opposite direction of your azimuth. To calculate it, add or subtract 180° depending on the original azimuth. For example, the back azimuth of 70° is 250°.
Grid Coordinates and the MGRS System
MGRS stands for Military Grid Reference System. It helps identify precise locations using alphanumeric coordinates.
| Grid Digits | Accuracy |
| 4-digit | 1000 meters |
| 6-digit | 100 meters |
| 8-digit | 10 meters |
Distance between grid lines on most combat maps is 1000 meters (1 km).
Note: Read right (east), then up (north). This is called the "right and up" method for coordinates.
Contour Lines and Elevation
Contour lines show elevation and land shape. Each line connects points of equal height. The closer the lines, the steeper the slope.
| Type of Contour Line | Description |
| Index | Bold lines, labeled with elevation |
| Intermediate | Regular lines between index lines |
| Supplementary | Dashed lines showing small elevation changes |
Topographic maps use these lines to help you visualize hills, valleys, and slopes. If the lines form a closed circle, it's usually a hill. If they form a closed circle with tick marks on the inside, it's a depression.
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Major Terrain Features
| Feature | Description |
| Hill | Closed loops with elevation increasing to the center |
| Valley | U- or V-shaped contours pointing uphill |
| Ridge | Long narrow elevation; contours form U-shapes pointing away |
| Saddle | Low ground between two hills; hourglass shape |
| Depression | Closed loops with tick marks pointing inward |
These features help map readers understand the shape of the landscape. Being able to visualize each one helps in terrain interpretation.
Minor Terrain Features
| Feature | Description |
| Draw | Small valley; contours form V-shapes pointing uphill |
| Spur | Small ridge extending from a larger one; contours point downhill |
| Cliff | Very steep slope; contour lines are extremely close or touch |
These features are often used for military navigation and route planning because they offer concealment or obstacles.
Intersection and Resection
- Intersection: Used to find an unknown location. From two known positions, take compass bearings toward the unknown point. The intersection of these lines is the target's location.
- Resection: Helps you find your own position by taking bearings from known landmarks.
Common Map Symbols and Their Uses
Understanding what symbols represent helps with fast and accurate interpretation.
| Symbol | Meaning |
| Circle | Well, tank, or storage |
| Triangle | Mountain peak or elevation point |
| Dashed line | Trail or footpath |
| Crossed lines | Railroads |
| Star or compass rose | True North indication |
Color-Coded Features on Maps
A deeper understanding of color usage strengthens interpretation skills:
| Color | Extra Context |
| Black | Used for buildings, boundaries, and names |
| Blue | Streams, lakes, or water-related features |
| Green | Indicates vegetation like orchards and woods |
| Brown | Contour lines and sometimes deserts or elevations |
| Red | Major roads, boundaries, or densely populated areas |
These color conventions remain fairly standard across most types of maps.
Key Terms to Know
| Term | Definition |
| Grid Square | A square area between grid lines, usually 1 km x 1 km |
| Back Azimuth | The reverse of a given azimuth (add or subtract 180°) |
| Declination | Angle difference between magnetic and true north |
| Elevation | Height above sea level |
| Terrain | The shape and physical features of the land |
| Orientation | Aligning a map with real-world directions using a compass |
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