Editing Compass (drawing tool) (section)

{{Short description|Drafting instrument}}
{{about|the drafting instrument||Compass (disambiguation)}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2023}}
[[File:Zirkel.jpg|thumb|A beam compass and a regular compass]]
[[File:IMB DQj3Fs.gif|thumb|Using a compass]]
[[File:Cyrkiel RB1.jpg|thumb|upright|A compass with an extension accessory for larger circles]]
[[File:Rotring S0214750 with Rapidograph 0.5 mm drawing 1.5–15 mm circles.jpg|thumb|upright|A bow compass capable of drawing the smallest possible circles]]

A '''compass''', also commonly known as a '''pair of compasses''', is a [[technical drawing]] instrument that can be used for inscribing [[circle]]s or [[Arc (geometry)|arcs]]. As [[caliper#Divider caliper|dividers]], it can also be used as a tool to mark out distances, in particular, on [[map]]s. Compasses can be used for [[mathematics]], [[technical drawing|drafting]], [[navigation]] and other purposes.

Prior to computerization, compasses and other tools for manual drafting were often packaged as a set<ref>[http://www.engineersupply.com/alvin-speed-bow-compass-set-366s.aspx a current vendor's product]</ref> with [[interchangeable parts]]. By the mid-twentieth century, [[Technical drawing tool#Templates|circle templates]] supplemented the use of compasses.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} Today those facilities are more often provided by [[computer-aided design]] programs, so the physical tools serve mainly a didactic purpose in teaching [[geometry]], [[technical drawing]], etc.