Convert magnetic course to true course, or true course to magnetic course, using east or west variation. This free aviation calculator helps pilots with navigation, chart reading, and flight planning.
Enter a course, variation, and conversion type to calculate the corrected aviation course.
This calculator applies standard aviation variation rules and normalizes the result to a value between 000° and 360°.
True course is the intended track of flight measured relative to true north. It is commonly used in navigation planning, chart work, and wind triangle calculations.
Because aircraft compasses and many cockpit references are magnetic, pilots often convert between true course and magnetic course using local variation.
True course is measured from true north, while magnetic course is measured from magnetic north.
Variation accounts for the difference between true north and magnetic north at a given location, allowing pilots to convert directions correctly.
No. Course is the intended path over the ground. Heading is the direction the aircraft points, which may differ because of wind correction.
Yes. Use the appropriate local variation from the chart or current navigation data for the area of operation.