Bearing Validator — Normalize Any Heading to 0–360°
Free bearing validator for KML and map workflows: paste any degree value (including negatives or values over 360°) and get a clean true heading in the 0–360° range. Use it before Destination Calculator, Intersection, or Initial & Final Bearings — true north, not magnetic variation.
Key features
- Accepts any numeric degree input (negative, oversized, or fractional)
- Wraps into a clean 0–360° true bearing
- Shows cardinal direction (N, NE, E, …) for quick checks
- Copy the sanitized value into Destination, Intersection, or spreadsheets
What Bearing Validator does
It normalizes navigational bearings with modulo-360 wrapping so 370° becomes 10°, −45° becomes 315°, and every result sits in a consistent 0–360° range ready for geodesic tools and KML path math.
Why local SEO and map teams use it
Keep coverage rays, sample grids, and destination pins consistent when bearings come from spreadsheets, GPS logs, or hand-entered notes that are not already clamped to 0–360°.
True bearing vs magnetic
This tool works in true bearings (0° = geographic north). It does not apply magnetic declination — use it for geometric KML and great-circle tools, not compass navigation charts.
How to use this tool (best practice)
1) Paste a bearing in degrees. 2) Validate / normalize. 3) Copy the 0–360° result. 4) Feed it into Destination Calculator or Intersection. Related: Initial & Final Bearings measures a course between two pins.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Bearing Validator free?
Yes. It is free on GBP Local Ranker’s KML Workbench at /free-tools/kml-workbench/bearing-validator — no login required for basic use.
What does 0° mean?
True north. Angles increase clockwise: 90° is east, 180° south, 270° west.
Can I paste 450° or −45°?
Yes. 450° normalizes to 90°, and −45° normalizes to 315°. Any finite number wraps into 0–360°.
Is magnetic variation applied?
No. Results are true bearings for geometric KML work — not magnetic compass headings.
What precision do I get?
Normalized degrees with trimmed decimals suitable for copy/paste into Destination Calculator and other Workbench tools.
Does it edit my KML file?
No. It only validates the number you enter. Use KML Reader, Reverse, or Merge for file/coordinate edits.
How do I use the result next?
Copy the normalized bearing into Destination Calculator (distance + heading) or Intersection (two paths with bearings).
What are cardinal labels (N, NE, E)?
They are 16-point compass labels rounded from the normalized bearing so you can sanity-check the heading at a glance.
Is 360° the same as 0°?
Yes. After normalization, 360° wraps to 0° (true north).
Where is the full KML Workbench suite?
Open All KML Workbench Tools at /free-tools/kml-workbench for destination, bearings, distance, RF Leg, and more.