The actual value of declination and its annual rate of change for your area will usually be shown on your map. This will be expressed as either a Easterly or Westerly declination, depending on your location. Below is an actual declination chart from 1990, showing the worldwide declination situation in 1990. The current declination values for today will be very close, if not identical, to the values below. How To Use Your Declination Value page.
Many compasses have a fixed declination correction scale to simplify the calculations required.
Some compasses even have an adjustable declination correction scale that will allow for the declination compensation. With this type of compass, the true direction can be used directly from the compass. Check here to see all our compasses with adjustable declination. Before buying a compass, you may want to consider whether it has a fixed declination corrrection scale, and adjustable declination correction scale, or neither. For more information on using a map and compass you may want to consider purchasing this 144 page instructional compass book, Discover the Exitement .