Compass (drawing tool)
![A beam compass and a regular compass](/Images/godic/202501/10/Zirkel5406.jpg")
![A thumbscrew compass for setting and maintaining a precise radius](/Images/godic/202501/10/Cyrkiel_RB15406.jpg")
![](/Images/godic/202501/10/Coat_of_arms_of_East_Germany.svg5406.png")
A compass is a technical drawing instrument that can be used for inscribing circles or arcs. As dividers, they can also be used as tools to measure distances, in particular on maps. Compasses can be used for mathematics, drafting, navigation, and other purposes.