Why does a compass point north?
Quick Answer
A compass aligns with Earth’s magnetic field, not with geographic north directly. The north-seeking end points toward magnetic north, which is close to, but not exactly at, the geographic North Pole.
The Full Story
Earth behaves like a giant magnet because of electric currents in its liquid outer core. A compass needle is a tiny magnet that turns until it lines up with the planet’s magnetic field lines. That is why the needle points toward magnetic north, which currently lies in the Canadian Arctic region and slowly moves over time. Geographic north and magnetic north are not the same, so navigators must account for magnetic declination. Compasses have been used for navigation for more than 1,000 years, especially in China and later across the world.
Key Facts
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