What does 9 o'clock mean in directions?

Navigating by the Clock

When you are trying to spot something in a hurry, directions can get confusing fast. That is why people often use clock positions to point things out on the fly. Instead of dealing with vague gestures or confusing compass points, this system turns any space into an easy-to-read clock face.

Imagine you are standing right in the center of a giant clock dial painted on the ground. Whatever lies directly in front of your line of sight is 12 o'clock. If someone tells you danger or an interesting landmark is at 3 o'clock, you know instantly to look straight to your right. If it is behind you, that is 6 o'clock.

And what about 9 o'clock? That simply means looking directly to the left. Originally popularized in aviation and military navigation to give pilots and crew members instant, unambiguous spatial awareness, the clock method is now used everywhere—from driving directions and hiking navigation to video games. The next time someone tells you to check your nine o'clock, you will know exactly where to turn without missing a beat.