FAQ: Why are East and West reversed on some compass roses?
Most traditional magnetic compasses are set up with a fixed compass rose (cardinal points) located the following position:
N
W E
S
which matches a map's fixed cardinal points (N is always at the top of the map, etc.).
Magnetic compasses will always point toward magnetic North, not the direction you are facing/heading. For example, let's say your compass above has the needle pointing straight at N (you are facing due North). If you turn 90 degrees to your right (now facing due East), then the compass you are holding will look like this:
W
S N
E
but the needle will still be pointing to where magnetic North is (90 degrees to your West) and it will be pointing at the W.
For compasses featuring a reversed compass rose, they can not only identify magnetic north like a traditional compass, but also show your heading (the direction you are facing/traveling). Compare a reversed compass rose compass to the example above:
N
E W
S
If you turn 90 degrees to your right (now facing due East), then the compass you are holding will look like this:
E
S N
W
and the needle will still be pointing to where magnetic North is, but you can quickly identify that you are traveling east as the needle will be pointing at the E.
