Convert magnetic heading to compass heading, or compass heading to magnetic, using east or west deviation. This free aviation calculator helps pilots with heading corrections, navigation, and flight training.
Enter a heading, deviation, and conversion type to calculate the corrected compass or magnetic heading.
This calculator applies standard aviation deviation rules and normalizes the result to a heading between 000° and 360°.
Compass deviation is the error in the magnetic compass caused by magnetic fields within the aircraft. Electrical systems, metal structure, avionics, and other onboard influences can make the compass read slightly different from magnetic heading.
Because of this, pilots use deviation corrections along with variation corrections to convert between true, magnetic, and compass headings.
No. Variation is the difference between true north and magnetic north. Deviation is compass error caused by the aircraft itself.
Deviation values are often found on the aircraft compass correction card near the magnetic compass.
Deviation can vary depending on aircraft equipment, electrical systems, and heading. That is why compass correction cards show different values for different headings.
Understanding compass deviation helps pilots convert headings accurately and use the magnetic compass more effectively for navigation and training.