Difference Between Whole Circle Bearing and Quadrantal Bearing

Whole Circle Bearing and Quadrantal Bearing (Reduced Bearing) are two different types of bearing measurement used in surveying. The difference between these types are mentioned below.

Whole Circle Bearing

• The horizontal angle made by a line with the magnetic north in the clockwise direction is the whole circle bearing of the line.
• Only the magnetic north line is considered as reference line in whole circle bearing system.
• The clockwise angle from the reference line is only taken.
• The value of the whole circle bearing varies from 0° to 360°.
• Examples are 26°, 121°, 245°, 350° etc.

Quadrantal Bearing (Reduced Bearing)

• The horizontal angle made by a line with the magnetic north or south (whichever is closer from the line) in the eastward or westward direction is the Quadrantal Bearing or Reduced Bearing of the line.
• Both magnetic north and south lines are considered as reference line in quadrantal bearing system.
• Both clockwise and anticlockwise angle from the reference line is only taken.
• The value of the reduced bearing varies from 0° to 90°.
• Examples are N26°E, S59°E, S65°W, N10°W etc.