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Year 4 Maths Position

Use grid maps & coordinates

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Theory

Using grid maps and coordinates is a Year 4 maths position skill: naming and finding squares on a grid map with column letters and row numbers. This page explains how to read and write a grid reference like B3, how to locate and describe places, and how to move between squares using north, south, east and west. Curriculum: VC2M4SP03 / AC9M4SP02.

A grid map is covered in squares. The columns are named with letters (A, B, C, ...) along the top or the bottom. The rows are named with numbers (1, 2, 3, ...) down the side. On many maps row 1 is at the top and the numbers grow as you go down, but on some maps row 1 is at the bottom and the numbers grow as you go up. Always read the labels first.

A grid reference names one square using the column letter and the row number joined together, like B3. The letter always comes first: you write B3, not 3B. The letter names the column and the number names the row.

A grid reference names a whole square, not a point. It has no brackets and no comma: D2, not (D, 2). Brackets and a comma, like (3, 1), are used for coordinates, which name a point where two grid lines cross.

To find a square, go across to the letter, then up or down the side to the number. The letter and number cross at just one square, so a grid reference points to exactly one place on the map.

Zoo grid map with columns A to E and rows 1 to 4 A grid map of a zoo. Columns are labelled A to E across the top and rows 1 to 4 down the left side. Lions are in A1, monkeys in C1, seals in D2, pandas in B3, emus in A4 and the cafe in E4. A B C D E 1 2 3 4 Lions Monkeys Seals Pandas Emus Cafe
A zoo grid map. The pandas are in column B, row 3, so the pandas are at B3.
Reading the grid reference B3 A grid with columns A to C and rows 1 to 3. Cell B3 is shaded. A red arrow across the top points to column B and a red arrow down the side points to row 3, showing you read across to the letter then down to the number. A B C 1 2 3 B3
Read across to the letter B, then down to the number 3, to reach square B3.

Grid maps do not need formulas, but these facts help you read and write every grid reference.

\[ \text{grid reference} = \text{column letter} + \text{row number} \]
grid reference = column letter + row number
\[ \text{B3} = \text{column B, row 3} \]
B3 = column B, row 3
Letter first, then number. Always write the column letter before the row number, so B3 is correct and 3B is wrong. Go across to the letter, then up or down the side to the number. Check where row 1 is: at the top on some maps, at the bottom on others.
Directions on a grid map. North is at the top. When row 1 is at the top, moving north goes to a smaller row number and moving south goes to a bigger one (when row 1 is at the bottom it is the other way round). East is to the right (letters later in the alphabet) and west is to the left. To walk back the way you came, swap north and south, and swap east and west.
Counting squares. Count the jumps from square to square, not the squares you touch. Along a row, count the letters after the start letter: from B to E is C, D, E, so \(3\) squares. Up or down a column, take the smaller row number from the bigger one: from row 5 to row 2 is \(5 - 2 = 3\) squares.

How to find a square on a grid map

  1. Check the labels. See whether the letters are along the top or the bottom, and whether row 1 is at the top or the bottom.
  2. Read the letter. Move across the map to the column with that letter.
  3. Read the number. Move up or down the side of the map to the row with that number.
  4. Meet at the square. The square where the column and row cross is the place you want.

How to move and count squares

  1. Find your start square. Say its grid reference, such as A3.
  2. Move one direction at a time. East or west changes only the letter. North or south changes only the number.
  3. Count the jumps. Do not count the square you start on. Write the grid reference of the square where you stop.

How to go back to the start

  1. Reverse the order. Undo the last move first.
  2. Swap each direction. North becomes south and east becomes west (and the other way round). The number of squares stays the same.

How to use a key

  1. Read the key. Some maps put a letter or picture in a square instead of a word. The key tells you what each one means.
  2. Find the square. Use the grid reference to find the square, then look up its letter in the key.
Example 1 — Find a grid reference
Use the playground map. What is the grid reference of the swing?
Playground grid map A playground grid map with columns A to D and rows 1 to 3. The gate is in A1, the swing in B3, the slide in C2 and the fort in D1. A B C D 1 2 3 Gate Slide Swing Fort
Solution
\(\text{swing}\)\(\to\)\(\text{column B}\)
\(\text{swing}\)\(\to\)\(\text{row 3}\)
swing = B3

The swing is at B3.

Example 2 — What is here?
Use the library map. What is at grid reference C1?
Library grid map A library grid map with columns A to D and rows 1 to 4. Books are in A2, the desk in C1, comics in B4 and the sofa in D3. A B C D 1 2 3 4 Books Desk Comics Sofa
Solution
\(\text{across to}\)\(:\)\(\text{column C}\)
\(\text{down to}\)\(:\)\(\text{row 1}\)
C1 = desk

Column C, row 1 holds the desk.

Example 3 — Move east
Maya is on square B2. She moves 2 squares east. What is her new grid reference?
Moving two squares east from B2 to D2 A grid with columns A to D and rows 1 to 3. An arrow starts in cell B2 and points east across two squares to cell D2. A B C D 1 2 3 start 2 east
Solution
\(\text{row stays}\)\(=\)\(2\)
\(\text{B} \to \text{C} \to \text{D}\)\(=\)\(\text{2 east}\)
B2 + 2 east = D2

Her new grid reference is D2.

Example 4 — Which direction and how far?
Row 1 is at the top of the map. To go straight from C1 to C5, which direction do you travel, and how many squares do you move?
Solution
\(\text{column}\)\(:\)\(\text{stays C}\)
\(\text{row}\)\(:\)\(1 \to 5\)
C1 to C5 = 4 squares south

A bigger row number is lower down the map, so you travel south. You move \(5 - 1 = 4\) squares.

Example 5 — Count the squares
How many squares do you move to go straight from B1 to E1? Which direction do you go?
Moving from B1 to E1 A grid with columns A to E and rows 1 and 2. An arrow starts in B1 and points east along row 1 to E1, jumping 3 squares. ABCDE 12 start
Solution
\(\text{B} \to \text{C}\)\(1\)\(\text{jump}\)
\(\text{C} \to \text{D}\)\(1\)\(\text{jump}\)
\(\text{D} \to \text{E}\)\(1\)\(\text{jump}\)
\(1 + 1 + 1\)\(=\)\(3\)

You move 3 squares east. The start square B1 is not counted, so it is not 4.

Example 6 — Use the key
Use the map and its key.
(i) What is in square B2?
(ii) What is the grid reference of the library?
Town grid map with a key A grid map with columns A to C and rows 1 to 3. Letters stand for places: H in A1, B in B2, L in C3 and S in A3. A key beside the map says H = House, L = Library, B = Bus stop, S = Shop. ABC 123 H L B S KeyH = HouseL = LibraryB = Bus stopS = Shop
Solution
\(\text{B2}\)\(\to\)\(\text{B} = \text{Bus stop}\)
\(\text{L (library)}\)\(\to\)\(\text{column C, row 3}\)

(i) The bus stop. (ii) C3.

Example 7 — Two moves and back again
Start at A3. Move 2 squares east, then 1 square north.
(i) Where do you finish?
(ii) What moves take you back to A3?
Two moves from A3 to C2 A grid with columns A to D and rows 1 to 3. A red dot starts in A3. An arrow goes 2 squares east to C3, then an arrow goes 1 square north to C2. ABCD 123 start
Solution
\(\text{A3} + 2\text{ east}\)\(=\)\(\text{C3}\)
\(\text{C3} + 1\text{ north}\)\(=\)\(\text{C2}\)
\(\text{back}\)\(=\)\(1\text{ south, then }2\text{ west}\)

(i) You finish at C2. (ii) Undo the last move first: 1 square south, then 2 squares west.

Example 8 — Row 1 at the bottom
On this map the letters are along the bottom and row 1 is the bottom row.
(i) What is the grid reference of the flag?
(ii) What is in square A2?
Grid map with row 1 at the bottom A grid with columns A to D labelled along the bottom and rows 1 to 4 numbered up the left side, row 1 at the bottom. A flag is in D3, a tree in A2 and a bench in B4. ABCD 1234 FlagTreeBench
Solution
\(\text{flag}\)\(\to\)\(\text{column D, row 3}\)
\(\text{A2}\)\(\to\)\(\text{column A, up to row 2}\)

(i) Count up from row 1 at the bottom: the flag is at D3.
(ii) Square A2 holds the tree.

Common pitfalls

Letter first, then number. Watch out for writing the number first. A grid reference is B3, never 3B. The letter names the column and comes first.
Check where row 1 is. Do not guess. On some maps row 1 is at the top and on others it is at the bottom. Read the numbers down the side before you count.
No brackets, no comma. Write a grid reference as a letter then a number, like D2. (D, 2) or 2-D is not a grid reference.
Count jumps, not squares touched. Going from B1 to E1 you touch 4 squares (B, C, D and E) but you only move 3 squares. Never count the square you start on.
Do not swap column and row. The letter tells you the column and the number tells you the row. Reading them the wrong way lands you on the wrong square.

Frequently asked questions

What is a grid reference?

A grid reference names one square on a grid map. It uses the column letter and the row number written together, like B3.

How do you read a grid reference like B3?

Find the column letter first, then go up or down the side to the row number. B3 means column B, row 3.

Does the letter or the number come first in a grid reference?

The letter always comes first because it names the column. So you write B3, not 3B.

Which way do the row numbers go on a grid map?

It depends on the map, so read the numbers down the side first. On many maps row 1 is at the top and the numbers grow as you go down. On other maps row 1 is at the bottom and the numbers grow as you go up.

What is the difference between a column and a row?

A column goes up and down and is named with a letter. A row goes across and is named with a number.

How do you find a place on a grid map?

Look at its grid reference. Move along the letters to the column, then up or down the side to the row number. The square where they meet is the place.

How do you count how many squares you move on a grid map?

Count the jumps from square to square, not the square you start on. Along a row, count the letters after the start letter. Up or down a column, take the smaller row number from the bigger one, so B4 to B1 is 4 − 1 = 3 squares.

How do you walk back to where you started?

Do the moves in reverse order and swap each direction: north for south and east for west. The number of squares in each move stays the same.

Is a grid reference the same as a pair of coordinates?

No. A grid reference such as D2 names a whole square, and it is written with no brackets and no comma. A pair of coordinates in brackets, such as (3, 1), names a point where two grid lines cross.

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