Heading vs course vs bearing: what is the difference?
Heading is the direction the vessel’s bow points. Course is a direction of intended or actual travel and should be qualified—for example, course to steer or course over ground. Bearing is the direction from an observer to another object or position.
Related terms
How it works
Wind, current, and leeway can make the bow point one way while the vessel travels another, so heading and course over ground need not match. AIS reports them as separate fields.
A bearing does not describe your own travel. It is a line of sight from you to a lighthouse, vessel, waypoint, or other object. State whether a direction is true, magnetic, compass, or relative whenever ambiguity matters.
Nose, path, and look
Use three mental arrows: the boat’s nose is heading; its intended or measured path is course; the line from the observer to something else is bearing. Chartwork and electronic displays become much clearer when each arrow is named precisely.
On the water
- The vessel may steer heading 090° while current produces a course over ground of 100°.
- A lighthouse bears 045° true from the vessel.
- A steady compass bearing with decreasing range is a classic warning of collision risk.
Common mistake
Do not read COG as the direction the bow points, especially at low speed or in strong current. And do not rely on bearing alone—combine it with closing range and the complete situation.
Remember it
NOSE = heading. PATH = course. LOOK = bearing.