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Magnetic field calculator

Magnetic field calculator

In the form below there are three groups of fields. Each group has several fields followed by a help icon. When the help icon is selected, it will insert information about the group below the group of fields.

Date:
The range of dates is determined by using the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF). IGRF-2010 is valid between years 1900 and 2015. An updated model is expected to be implemented by January 2015.
Latitude:
degrees, minutes, ( )
When entering latitude use one of the following two conventions:
  • Decimal degrees to a maximum of three decimal places, e.g., 45.738; leave the minutes box blank. Choose North or South, East or West from the 'radio' buttons.
  • Degrees and minutes; enter degrees in the first box; enter minutes to a maximum of one decimal place in the second box; e.g. 45 54.3. Choose North or South, East or West from the 'radio' buttons.
For more information, please visit the Tips for using calculators page.
Longitude:
degrees, minutes, ( )
When entering longitude use one of the following two conventions:
  • Decimal degrees to a maximum of three decimal places, e.g., 45.738; leave the minutes box blank. Choose North or South, East or West from the 'radio' buttons.
  • Degrees and minutes; enter degrees in the first box; enter minutes to a maximum of one decimal place in the second box; e.g. 45 54.3. Choose North or South, East or West from the 'radio' buttons.
For more information, please visit the Tips for using calculators page.

This calculator may be used to calculate values of all seven magnetic components: D, I, H, Z, F, X, Y. The International Geomagnetic Reference Field is used to compute values within Canada and elsewhere in the world.

Tips and more information about this calculator.

Magnetic reference field models give results that are typically accurate to about 150 nT, but the difference between the model value and the true value of the magnetic field at a given location is dependent on a number of factors. As the time from the epoch of the model increases, uncertainties in the estimate of secular variation will result in an increasingly large difference. Magnetic minerals in local geological formations cause magnetic anomalies that can sometimes reach thousands of nanoteslas. These cannot be reproduced by reference field models. Finally, large magnetic storms can temporarily cause large changes in the magnetic field, especially at high latitudes.

See also the magnetic declination calculator.

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Date Modified:
2012-01-10