How to choose the right map

1:1 000 000 scale

Maps at a scale of 1:1 000 000 (1:1 million) are extremely small-scale maps. One centimetre on a 1:1 000 000 scale map is equal to 1 000 000 centimetres (or 10 000 metres – 10 kilometres) on the ground; four centimetres on the map therefore represents 40 kilometres on the ground (10cm = 100km). Alternatively, one inch on the map is equal to 16 miles on the ground.

Maps at 1:1 000 000 scale only show cities and major towns together with the motorway and primary route network. County boundaries are shown and are sometimes colour coded to make their shape and location clearly distinguishable.

This is the scale of map you should use if you need to see the whole of Great Britain at a glance.

The Ordnance Survey paper products available at 1:1 000 000 scale are a variety of wall maps such as United Kingdom Administrative Boundaries, British Isles Communications and Great Britain Physical.

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