Map symbols explained
Maps use small symbols to show features that would be too small to draw to scale. Contour uses the same style as Ordnance Survey’s 1:25 000 Explorer maps, so what you learn here works on real British maps too.
Symbols you’ll see in Contour
On Easy and Medium, the islands have landmarks. Each has a symbol on the map and a matching model in the 3D view. Tap Key on the map during a game to see them.
Place of worship with tower
A solid black square topped with a small cross. On the ground: a church with a square tower, often with battlements on top.
A solid black square topped with a small cross. On the ground: a church with a square tower, often with battlements on top.
Place of worship with spire, minaret or dome
A solid black circle topped with a small cross. On the ground: a church with a tall pointed spire, easy to spot from far away.
A solid black circle topped with a small cross. On the ground: a church with a tall pointed spire, easy to spot from far away.
Castle
The walls are drawn to scale, and the name is written in old-style lettering, which is how Ordnance Survey marks historic sites. Castles usually sit on prominent high ground.
The walls are drawn to scale, and the name is written in old-style lettering, which is how Ordnance Survey marks historic sites. Castles usually sit on prominent high ground.
Non-coniferous trees
A green area with round-topped tree symbols: broadleaf woodland such as oak or beech. In Contour these tend to grow on lower, gentler ground.
A green area with round-topped tree symbols: broadleaf woodland such as oak or beech. In Contour these tend to grow on lower, gentler ground.
Coniferous trees
A green area with pointed tree symbols: conifer plantations such as pine or spruce, usually on higher slopes.
A green area with pointed tree symbols: conifer plantations such as pine or spruce, usually on higher slopes.
Symbols for height and water
Contour lines
Orange lines joining points of equal height, every 10 metres, with a bolder labelled line every 50 metres. See how to read contour lines.
Orange lines joining points of equal height, every 10 metres, with a bolder labelled line every 50 metres. See how to read contour lines.
Spot height
A dot with a number: the exact height in metres at that point, often on a summit.
A dot with a number: the exact height in metres at that point, often on a summit.
Sea, lakes and streams
Water is shaded pale blue with a darker blue edge. The coast is always at sea level, which makes it a useful reference.
Water is shaded pale blue with a darker blue edge. The coast is always at sea level, which makes it a useful reference.
Triangulation pillar
Not in Contour (yet), but common on British hilltops: a blue triangle with a dot marks a concrete survey pillar, a great landmark when walking.
Not in Contour (yet), but common on British hilltops: a blue triangle with a dot marks a concrete survey pillar, a great landmark when walking.
Scale and the grid
Contour’s map is drawn to the same proportions as a 1:25 000 map: 4 centimetres on the map is 1 kilometre on the ground. The blue grid lines are exactly 1 kilometre apart, which makes judging distance easy: each square is a kilometre across, so a 10-minute walk on flat ground is about one square. Learn how to use the grid in our guide to grid references.
Spot them in today’s game