罗盘方位，或叫三十二方位，是现代罗盘上使用的方位系统。这三十二个方位的名称虽然来自英语，但已经在国际上广为使用。在一般性地或口头地导航时，使用罗盘方位可以省去计算或背诵方位角的麻烦，因而显得便利。英语中的俗语box the compass，本意即是指把这三十二个方位的名称按顺时针顺序依次说出，后来引申指“彻底变革”之意。值得注意的是，地质学界常用的十六方位缩写和相应的罗盘方位名编写并不完全一致。

著名电影导演阿尔弗雷德·希区柯克1959年的电影《北西北》(North by Northwest)的英文片名很像罗盘方位名，但在三十二个罗盘方位中，并没有一个叫这个名字。

The points of the compass are points on a compass, specifically on the compass rose, marking divisions of the four cardinal directions: North, South, East, West. The number of points may be only the four cardinal points, or the eight principal points adding the intercardinal (or ordinal) directions northeast (NE), southeast (SE), southwest (SW), and northwest (NW). In meteorological usage further intermediate points are added to give the sixteen points of a wind compass. Finally, at the most complete in European tradition, are found the full thirty-two points of the mariner's compass. In ancient China 24 points of the compass were used, measuring fifteen degrees between points.