Overview
Northeast is the compass direction halfway between north and east. On a standard compass it corresponds to a bearing of 45° from north and is the intercardinal point between the two principal directions. In everyday language, "northeast" may describe a heading, a wind, or the top-right area of a map when north is up.
Compass points and variants
Compass notation distinguishes between cardinal points (north, east) and intercardinal points. Northeast (NE) is one of the four primary intercardinal points; the opposite point is southwest (SW). More precise names subdivide these sectors: north-northeast (NNE) at 22.5°, and east-northeast (ENE) at 67.5°.
- NE — midway between north and east (45°)
- NNE — halfway between north and northeast (22.5°)
- ENE — halfway between east and northeast (67.5°)
- SW — the opposite direction, southwest
Uses and importance
In navigation and marine practice, northeast indicates a precise heading or bearing; pilots and sailors use numeric degrees as well as names. In meteorology a "northeast wind" blows from that quadrant. On maps drawn with north at the top, northeast points toward the upper right. Geographically, "the Northeast" can also denote a region of a country, such as the northeastern states of a nation.
History and practical notes
The system of compass points developed with early seafaring and cartography, evolving into the 32-point compass rose used in traditional navigation. Modern instruments give exact bearings in degrees, but named points like northeast remain in everyday and professional use because they convey orientation quickly and clearly.