指南针，又称罗盘，是一种用于指示方向的工具，广泛应用于各种方向判读，譬如航海、野外探险、城市道路地图阅读等领域。

指南针分为两种类型：依靠磁力与不依靠磁力的。第一种又可分为两类：一是根据地球磁场的有极性制作的地磁指南针，但这种指南针指示的南北方向与真正的南北方向不同，存在一个磁偏角；二是电子指南针，采用磁场传感器的磁阻（MR）技术，可很好地修正磁偏角的问题，现已大量用于卫星定位装置中。至于不依靠磁力的则纯粹根靠器件内部的物理方法指示方向，如指南车或惯性导航系统。

英国汉学家李约瑟把指南针称为“中国古代四大发明”之一。

A compass is an instrument used for navigation and orientation that shows direction relative to the geographic "cardinal directions", or "points". Usually, a diagram called a compass rose, shows the directions north, south, east, and west as abbreviated initials marked on the compass. When the compass is used, the rose can be aligned with the corresponding geographic directions, so, for example, the "N" mark on the rose really points to the north. Frequently, in addition to the rose or sometimes instead of it, angle markings in degrees are shown on the compass. North corresponds to zero degrees, and the angles increase clockwise, so east is 90 degrees, south is 180, and west is 270. These numbers allow the compass to show azimuths or bearings, which are commonly stated in this notation.