Which type of North is primarily used when navigating with a compass?

When navigating with a compass, the type of North that is primarily used is Magnetic North. A compass aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, which points toward Magnetic North rather than True North. This makes it essential for navigational purposes, especially in outdoor activities and military operations.

Magnetic North is determined by the Earth's magnetism, which can vary in location and strength over time. As a result, the compass needle will always point towards this magnetic pole, allowing navigators to orient themselves accurately in the field.

In contrast, True North refers to the direction along the Earth's surface towards the geographic North Pole, while Grid North is associated with map projections and is used in cartography. Geographic North is generally similar to True North but is not specifically used in conjunction with compass navigation. Therefore, understanding that a compass operates based on the principles of Magnetic North is critical for effective navigation.